Starlight Gets $2M Grant for Pediatric Heart Device Development

San Diego-based Starlight Cardiovascular, a firm specializing in pediatric cardiovascular medical equipment, has secured a substantial funding boost. The company has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This financial endorsement totals $1,999,870 and is earmarked for the advancement of a novel Pulmonary Flow Restrictor.

The Pulmonary Flow Restrictor is a device engineered to mitigate the risks associated with excessive blood flow to the lungs in infants afflicted with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). CHD stands as the most prevalent congenital condition, impacting approximately 1.3 million newborns globally each year. For those with severe forms of CHD, open-heart surgery is often necessary within the first fortnight of life, utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Starlight's innovation presents a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical pulmonary artery banding. The Pulmonary Artery Flow Restrictors are introduced through a minimally invasive catheterization process and are capable of expanding as the child grows, adapting to their evolving medical needs.

Dr. Mark Galantowicz, a prominent figure in cardiothoracic surgery and the overseer of The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital, lauded the NIH's decision to fund Starlight's endeavors. He anticipates that the new device will not only enhance the surgical outcomes for those with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome but will also pave the way for a variety of additional applications that will be beneficial to children with CHD.
Starlight Cardiovascular is in the preclinical stages of development, focusing on a range of medical devices aimed at treating pediatric CHD. Their commitment to innovation in pediatric cardiology is evident through their pursuit of groundbreaking solutions for young patients in need.