Kona Medical has reeled in another $10 million in equity and debt financing to continue working on a novel method that uses ultrasound to reduce high blood pressure. The financing, provided by two undisclosed strategic investors as well as Essex Woodlands, Domain Associates, Morgenthaler Ventures, Western Technology Investments and BioStar Ventures, follows the company’s $30 million round earlier this year.
Founded in 2009 with technology from Therus Corp., the company is led by Oraya Therapeutics founder Michael Gertner. Kona describes the technology as “Surround Sound” since it utilizes ultrasound from outside the body in order to treat nerves around the kidney. The company said that clinical studies have shown that ablation of renal nerves can lead to reductions in high blood pressure.
“The fully non-invasive system the company is developing may greatly expand access to renal denervation therapy and offer a more patient-friendly alternative for the tens of millions of people who suffer from drug-resistant hypertension,” the company said in a press release. Bellevue-based Kona employs 25 people in Bellevue and Menlo Park, California.
It is the latest big financing round in a Seattle company in the past few months, following Zulily’s $89 million deal: Smartsheet’s $26 million deal; NanoString’s $15 million deal.
