Synapse Biomedical
Synapse Biomedical is an Oberlin, Ohio-based medical device company that develops and commercializes FDA-approved diaphragm pacing systems—NeuRx DPS for spinal cord injury and ALS patients and TransAeris for ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction—sold through qualified treatment centers and international distribution partners in 24 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersOberlin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Synapse Biomedical does
Synapse Biomedical Inc. is a privately held, Oberlin, Ohio-based medical device company founded in 2002 that develops and commercializes neurostimulation products for the diaphragm. Its core commercial offering is the FDA-approved NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS), which delivers low-level electrical stimulation through electrodes implanted in the diaphragm to condition the muscle and enable patients with high-level spinal cord injuries (typically C1–C5) and ALS-related respiratory insufficiency to reduce or eliminate dependence on mechanical ventilation. The company has expanded its portfolio with the TransAeris System, a temporary (up to 30-day) diaphragm stimulation device aimed at preventing and treating Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction (VIDD) in ventilated patients, and references a Synchrony neuromodulation product line as a broader platform.
The company operates a niche, hospital-anchored go-to-market: NeuRx DPS and TransAeris are not sold directly to patients; they are implanted by board-certified laparoscopic surgeons at qualified treatment centers, with patient referrals routed through a physician locator on the company's website. Synapse generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of the pacing systems to those centers and recurring supplies (electrodes, accessories) fulfilled through U.S. DME suppliers such as Edgepark Medical Supplies and Shepherd Apothecary, with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance providing reimbursement for eligible patients. Commercial reach is delivered via a network of regional distribution partners across 24 countries (e.g., Aurora BioScience in Australia, USCI Japan, Perla Health Care for Spain/Italy, UPNORTH MEDICAL for Scandinavia) and a European subsidiary, Synapse Biomedical Europe, headquartered in Enghien les Bains, France.
The company cites clinical outcomes including a 100% success rate in achieving tidal volumes in patients with intact phrenic nerve during trials, 25 of 50 high-level SCI patients achieving full-time diaphragm pacing and ventilator liberation, and a median survival of over 16 months post-implant with NeuRx DPS and non-invasive ventilation for ALS patients. Over 2,000 patients have been treated cumulatively across the network. The leadership team is led by founder Anthony Ignagni (President & CEO), with Timothy Crish as VP of Product Development & Operations, James E. Gelbke as Director of Advanced Manufacturing, and Moustapha Diop as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director for Europe. Capital sources disclosed include JumpStart Inc. (2006, $270K), an undated 2010 round ($433K), Ohio Third Frontier (2013, $2.4M), and Vivo Capital (2015, undisclosed), with no acquisitions, IPO, or leadership transitions reported in the available data.
Synapse Biomedical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Synapse Biomedical
- Legal name
- Synapse Biomedical Inc.
- Website
- https://synapsebiomedical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Synapse Biomedical is an Oberlin, Ohio-based medical device company that develops and commercializes FDA-approved diaphragm pacing systems—NeuRx DPS for spinal cord injury and ALS patients and TransAeris for ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction—sold through qualified treatment centers and international distribution partners in 24 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Synapse Biomedical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Neurostimulation Medical Devices
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Implantable Neuromodulation & Neurostimulation (SCS/DBS/VNS/PNS) (HLAHAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Home Ventilation, Oxygen Therapy & Respiratory DME Clinical Management (HLAKANAM)
Keywords
Where Synapse Biomedical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oberlin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Synapse Biomedical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Medical Device Sales: Synapse Biomedical generates revenue through the sale of its FDA-approved diaphragm pacing systems (NeuRx DPS and TransAeris). The devices are sold to treatment centers and healthcare facilities where surgical implantation procedures are performed by qualified surgeons. Revenue is derived from device sales, supply ordering (electrodes, accessories), and related medical supplies through authorized DME suppliers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Synapse Biomedical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Synapse Biomedical designs, manufactures, and sells FDA-approved neurostimulation medical devices that electrically stimulate the diaphragm muscle to reduce or eliminate dependence on mechanical ventilation. Its flagship NeuRx DPS® is implanted via a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for spinal cord injury and ALS patients, the TransAeris System® provides temporary stimulation to prevent ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction, and the Synchrony® platform extends its neurostimulation product line. Devices are sold to qualified hospitals and treatment centers, with ongoing supplies distributed via authorized DME suppliers.
Product overview
Synapse Biomedical is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of life-altering neurostimulation products. The company offers a portfolio of diaphragm pacing systems including the FDA-approved NeuRx DPS® for spinal cord injury and ALS patients, the TransAeris System® for temporary stimulation to prevent ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction, and the Synchrony® product line—all designed to reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation through electrical stimulation of the diaphragm.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NeuRx DPS: FDA-approved diaphragm pacing system for spinal cord injury and ALS patients to decrease reliance on mechanical ventilators
- TransAeris
- Synchrony
Products and services
- NeuRx DPS® (Diaphragm Pacing System)
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% success rate in achieving tidal volumes in patients with intact phrenic nerve
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Synapse Biomedical
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Synapse Biomedical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Synapse Biomedical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered regional and minor.
- Aurora BioScience Pty Ltd (Australia)regionalInternational distribution partner for Synapse Biomedical products in Australia. Located in Bella Vista, NSW, providing local sales and support for NeuRx DPS customers in Australia.
- Jomhedica (Brazil)regionalInternational distribution partner in Brazil serving Porto Alegre region with NeuRx DPS products and support.
- Biomedisys S.A.S. (Colombia)regionalInternational distribution partner in Colombia based in Bogota, providing NeuRx DPS sales and support services.
- ECUASURGICAL S.A. (Ecuador)regionalInternational distribution partner in Ecuador serving Quito and surrounding regions with NeuRx DPS products.
- USCI Japan, Ltd.regionalInternational distribution partner for Synapse Biomedical products in Japan. Located in Tokyo, serving the Japanese market for NeuRx DPS.
- Global Damon Pharma Co. Ltd. (South Korea)regionalInternational distribution partner in South Korea based in Seoul, providing NeuRx DPS products and support.
- Medlion Life Science Technology (Taiwan)regionalInternational distribution partner in Taiwan serving Taipei City region with NeuRx DPS products.
- Perla Health Care (Spain & Italy)regionalInternational distribution partner covering Spain and Italy markets for Synapse Biomedical products.
- UPNORTH MEDICAL (Scandinavia)regionalManaging Director Thomas Möller leads distribution operations for Scandinavia from Kristianstad, Sweden.
- Edgepark Medical SuppliesregionalDME supplier for NeuRx DPS supplies serving customers anywhere in the United States. Located in Twinsburg, Ohio.
- Shepherd ApothecaryregionalDME supplier for NeuRx DPS supplies anywhere in the United States. Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
- ALS AssociationminorPatient advocacy organization providing resources and support for ALS patients, referenced as a resource partner on Synapse Biomedical website.
- Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)minorPatient advocacy organization referenced as a resource partner for ALS and neuromuscular disease patients.
- United Spinal AssociationminorPatient advocacy organization for spinal cord injury patients, referenced as a resource partner.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Synapse Biomedical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Avery Biomedical Devices: Avery manufactures the Mark IV Breathing Pacemaker, a phrenic nerve/diaphragm pacing system for ventilator-dependent patients with SCI and other conditions. It is the most direct competitor to Synapse Biomedical's NeuRx DPS in implantable diaphragm stimulation.
Broad incumbents
- Inspire Medical Systems: Inspire markets an implantable neurostimulation system (hypoglossal nerve stimulation) for obstructive sleep apnea. Comparable to Synapse as an FDA-approved, implanted neurostim device company targeting a respiratory/sleep-related patient population.
- Medtronic: Medtronic is a global leader in implantable neurostimulation (spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, sacral nerve stimulation) and broader respiratory care. Comparable as a broad incumbent with deep R&D, sales, and reimbursement infrastructure that Synapse lacks.
- Boston Scientific: Boston Scientific operates one of the largest implantable neurostimulation franchises (spinal cord, deep brain, and peripheral nerve stimulation). Relevant peer as a broad incumbent in the implantable neurostimulation space in which Synapse competes.
- Abbott (formerly St. Jude Medical): Abbott's neuromodulation business includes spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglion therapy. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same hospital and payer relationships that Synapse relies on for diaphragm pacing.
- LivaNova: LivaNova historically developed phrenic nerve/diaphragm stimulation (Atrostim) and remains active in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for epilepsy and depression. Comparable neuromodulation incumbent with overlapping respiratory-neurostim heritage.
- ResMed: ResMed is a global leader in mechanical ventilation and non-invasive respiratory support — the incumbent standard of care that NeuRx DPS displaces and that competes against TransAeris in the ICU channel.
- Philips (Respironics): Philips Respironics is a major ICU and home mechanical ventilation franchise. Comparable as the dominant incumbent whose installed base and clinical workflow integrations Synapse must work around when expanding diaphragm pacing into the ICU.
Emerging players
- Nevro: Nevro is a focused neuromodulation company with its 10 kHz HF10 spinal cord stimulation system. Comparable as a specialty implantable neurostim company competing for the same hospital channel and reimbursement codes.
- Axonics: Axonics is a focused implantable neurostimulation company (sacral and now pudendal nerve stimulation). Comparable as a small-cap, growth-oriented neurostim specialist competing for hospital-based implant adoption.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Synapse Biomedical social profiles
Digital presenceSynapse Biomedical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Synapse Biomedical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Synapse Biomedical subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Synapse Biomedical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Synapse Biomedical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Synapse Biomedical
What does Synapse Biomedical do?
Synapse Biomedical designs, manufactures, and sells FDA-approved neurostimulation medical devices that electrically stimulate the diaphragm muscle to reduce or eliminate dependence on mechanical ventilation. Its flagship NeuRx DPS® is implanted via a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for spinal cord injury and ALS patients, the TransAeris System® provides temporary stimulation to prevent ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction, and the Synchrony® platform extends its neurostimulation product line. Devices are sold to qualified hospitals and treatment centers, with ongoing supplies distributed via authorized DME suppliers.
Is Synapse Biomedical a public or private company?
Synapse Biomedical is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Synapse Biomedical founded?
Synapse Biomedical was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Synapse Biomedical based?
Synapse Biomedical is headquartered in Oberlin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Synapse Biomedical make money?
One revenue line is on record: medical Device Sales.
Who are Synapse Biomedical's main competitors?
Avery Biomedical Devices is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Inspire Medical Systems, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott (formerly St. Jude Medical), LivaNova, ResMed and Philips (Respironics). Emerging players are Nevro and Axonics.
Does Synapse Biomedical have an API?
No public API is recorded for Synapse Biomedical.
What industry is Synapse Biomedical in?
Synapse Biomedical's product category is Neurostimulation Medical Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAEAK, Implantable Neuromodulation & Neurostimulation (SCS/DBS/VNS/PNS), with a secondary code of HLAKANAM, Home Ventilation, Oxygen Therapy & Respiratory DME Clinical Management. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.