Breethe Inc, a Baltimore-based medical device company, has obtained exclusive rights to University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) intellectual property to develop a wearable, portable blood pump oxygenator that will function as an artificial lung system for patients suffering from cardiopulmonary collapse and respiratory failure.
A UMB news release indicates that the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine developed the core-licensed technology, with Breethe also obtaining important supporting technology.
The supporting technology is co-owned by UMB and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as part of the license agreement. The Breethe team aims to leverage the technology to bring the first wearable ‘out-of-hospital’ artificial lung system to market. Bartley P. Griffith, MD, developed the core technology and is the company’s founder. Presently, UMB has made a $100,000 investment in Breethe through UM Ventures.
Phil Robilotto, DO, MBA, UM Ventures chief commercialization officer, says, “The portable artificial lung system developed at UMSOM has the potential to revolutionize treatment for patients with severe pulmonary disease. “ Robilotto adds, “Breethe has quickly assembled a superior management team and UM Ventures is excited to see the company advance this extremely promising technology to the medical marketplace.”
Griffith states, “There is growing demand for a new technology to take over the function of the human lung while allowing patients mobility. Our respiratory assist and cardiopulmonary support technology has the potential to dramatically improve patient care and quality of life by enabling otherwise hospital-bound patients to leave the hospital and resume more of their daily activities.”
Source: University of Maryland
