Dutch medtech company AMT Medical has raised $25 million in Series B funding to advance its groundbreaking, minimally invasive heart bypass technology.
The round was led by Bender Analytical Holding B.V. (BAH), with participation from Invest-NL, the European Innovation Council (EIC), Oost NL, and other angel investors. Including previous grants and funding, the company has now raised over $40 million.
Redefining Coronary Bypass with ELANA® Technology
AMT Medical is on a mission to replace traditional, highly invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures with a faster, safer, and less traumatic alternative. Its flagship ELANA® Heart Bypass System offers a sutureless, keyhole approach to bypass surgery, compatible with robot-assisted techniques and designed for same-day patient discharge.
“This financing validates our mission to make open-heart bypass surgery obsolete,” said Rutger Tulleken, CEO and co-founder. “We’re not just improving outcomes—we’re transforming cardiovascular care.”
The company is now accelerating efforts to achieve CE Marking by 2026, complete its first-in-human European trial, and launch clinical studies in the U.S., both for open and robotic-assisted procedures.
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From Neurosurgery to Cardiac Innovation
Founded in 2017 by Tulleken and based in Ede and Utrecht, AMT Medical traces its roots to the work of Rutger’s father—a pioneering neurosurgeon who developed the original ELANA technique for brain bypass procedures. Inspired by its success, the younger Tulleken adapted the technology for cardiac applications, addressing the pressing need for less invasive alternatives in heart surgery.
Transforming a $2.5B Market
Globally, over 1 million CABG surgeries are performed annually, yet most still rely on open-chest operations that require a heart-lung machine, complex suturing, and extended recovery. AMT’s solution uses arterial grafts, a proprietary clip, and a precision excimer laser to create a sutureless connection between vessels, without stopping the heart.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced stroke risk
- Shorter operating times
- Minimized complications
- Faster recovery and discharge
- Over 50% cost savings in robotic settings
“This technology isn’t just innovative—it’s cost-efficient and scalable,” said Johan Bender, CEO of BAH. “We’re excited to support AMT Medical as they pursue FDA clearance and global adoption.”
Next Steps: U.S. Trials and Robotic Integration
The newly raised funds will support:
- Completion of ongoing European clinical trials
- Expansion into robotic-assisted surgical platforms
- Preparation for U.S. regulatory trials and approval
- Continued product development and team growth
As AMT Medical moves toward broader adoption, its ELANA® system could soon set a new standard in cardiovascular surgery—making minimally invasive, same-day heart bypass a reality for patients worldwide.
