Alume Biosciences is developing bevonescein, a nerve illumination compound that enhances the visibility of critical nerves during surgery through fluorescence. This technology aims to reduce the incidence of nerve damage, which can lead to severe complications such as incontinence and facial paralysis in patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Funding
$24.3M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Accidental nerve damage during surgery can lead to severe and debilitating complications, including incontinence, paralysis, and loss of function. Identifying and preserving critical nerves during complex surgical procedures is challenging due to their small size and obscured visibility within the surgical field.
Solution
Alume Biosciences is developing bevonescein (ALM-488), a fluorescently labeled peptide administered intravenously prior to surgery that selectively binds to and illuminates nerves under near-infrared (NIR) light. This real-time nerve visualization technology enhances the surgeon's ability to distinguish nerves from surrounding tissue, potentially reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury. By improving nerve identification, bevonescein aims to improve patient outcomes and quality of life following surgical procedures. The compound is cleared through the kidneys within hours of administration.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes surgeons across various specialties, such as neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, urology, and surgical oncology, who perform procedures where nerve preservation is critical.
Features
- Selective binding to nerves for enhanced visualization under NIR light
- Real-time nerve illumination during surgical procedures
- Intravenous administration 60 minutes before surgery
- Rapid clearance from the body via the kidneys
- Compatibility with standard surgical imaging equipment using NIR light
- Potential to reduce nerve damage in a variety of surgical specialties