Please join us as we highlight some of our leaders, learn about their experiences, and hear how they are talking about the positive changes we’re making to meet our vision of the future at Cook. Follow along for the full Meet Our Leaders series.
Meet Christa Curtis, Vice President Global Marketing and Communications.
Bloomington, Ind. — Furthering their commitment to relentlessly delivering new products and services to address unmet customer needs, today Cook Medical announced a strategic investment in the urology space. Zenflow is a medical device company developing a minimally invasive treatment for urinary obstruction caused by enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of Zenflow and the Spring® System technology. Zenflow is aligned with our core focus of developing minimally invasive technologies that restore flow,” said DJ Sirota, senior vice president of Cook Medical’s MedSurg division. “This type of agreement is yet another proof-point to how Cook is changing to focus on our future as product innovators.”
With funding led by Cook, Zenflow closed an $24 million Series C financing round today and included participation from existing investors Invus Opportunities, F-Prime Capital, Medical Technology Venture Partners and others.
Funds will be used to support the company’s Pre-Market Approval (PMA) submission as well as to prepare for commercialization in order to set the stage for FDA approval of its Spring System, a minimally invasive treatment option for patients who suffer debilitating symptoms due to enlarged prostate. The Spring System was designed with the patient’s experience in mind and relies on a small spring-like coil to gently prop open the urethra, restoring its normal function while preserving the natural anatomy. Over 40 million patients suffer from BPH in the U.S.
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical is now distributing the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System in the United States. PillSense™ is a novel device that can detect upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients in under 10 minutes. Cook is constantly changing and adapting to continuously offer new technologies, and PillSense is the latest addition to Cook’s comprehensive portfolio of GI bleed management solutions.
Gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for 6-7% of all medical admissions, with over half a million admissions annually.1 2 A retrospective analysis found 66% of patients admitted with suspected upper GI bleeding showed no blood present at the time of endoscopy.3
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System was designed to help clinicians efficiently triage and prioritize patients with suspected GI bleeding, confirming bleeds in hemodynamically stable patients. This allows for a more efficient use of critical healthcare resources.
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System comprises a reusable receiver and a single-use ingestible capsule that detects the presence of blood in the upper GI tract. PillSense is the first FDA-approved ingestible blood detection system that offers rapid and accurate results, enabling healthcare providers to detect upper GI bleeding in under 10 minutes. A patient swallows the capsule, and as the capsule travels through the upper gastrointestinal tract, it transmits data to the handheld receiver that will display a simple and definitive result.
PillSense has multiple advantages. As clinicians use PillSense, they will find that:
“PillSense is a game-changer for both patients and healthcare providers. On a patient level, PillSense is a revolutionary product that allows for swift diagnosis, enabling prompt and appropriate care. It’s also revolutionary on a hospital level, enhancing patient management by enhancing risk stratification and optimizing resource allocation,” said John Devlin, a director of global marketing in Cook’s MedSurg division.
“EnteraSense is thrilled to partner with Cook Medical, a leader in the GI space to make PillSense™ available to patients and hospitals across the United States. The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System is groundbreaking technology, is addressing a longstanding clinical need and is very synergistic with Cook Medical’s Innovative Hemostasis portfolio,” said Donal Devery, CEO of EnteraSense.
In May 2024, Cook Medical entered into a strategic distribution agreement with EnteraSense, the manufacturer behind PillSense. Starting in October 2024, Cook will be managing sales, marketing and distribution activities for PillSense across the United States. Healthcare providers can now access the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System through Cook’s well-connected network of sales reps to bring this technology to more hospitals. Distribution agreements, like this one with EnteraSense, are milestones in Cook‘s five-year plan to continue fostering partnerships and diversifying product offerings.
To learn more about PillSense, contact your local Cook Medical representative.
PillSense is manufactured by EnteraSense Ltd. PillSense is a trademark of EnteraSense Ltd.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
[1] Laine L, Barkun A, Saltzman JR et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Upper Gastrointestinal and Ulcer Bleeding. AM J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(5): 899-9172.
[2] Peery AF, Crockett SD, Murphy CC, et al. Burden and Cost of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases in the United States: Update 2021. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(2):621-644.
[3] Ryan k, Malacova E, Appleyard M et al. Clinical utility of the Glasgow Blatchford Score in patients presenting to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A retrospective cohort study. Emerg Med Australas. 2021;33(5):817-825
[4] Akiki K, Mahmoud T, Alquaisieh M, et al. A novel blood-sensing capsule for rapid detection of upper GI bleeding: a prospective clinical trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2024;99(5):712-720.
Please join us as we highlight some of our leaders, learn about their experiences, and hear how they are talking about the positive changes we’re making to meet our vision of the future at Cook. Follow along for the full Meet Our Leaders series.
Meet Dr. John Kaufman, Chief Medical Officer, Cook Medical
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical announced this morning it has signed an agreement with Merit Medical to purchase Cook’s Lead Management portfolio. This announcement is the conclusion of a series of planned Cook divestures across multiple product lines and specialties to align with Cook’s more focused vision for the future of the company.
Merit has an existing footprint in the electrophysiology (EP) space and plans to expand their presence in Lead Management. Merit is making significant investment in EP and shows they are committed to growing the business in ways that Cook has not been able to in recent years. This acquisition represents tremendous opportunity for employees, products, and patients.
“Cook is focused on our vision to deliver a continuous stream of innovative new products and services to address unmet customer needs. Part of achieving that business strategy has included reviewing our product portfolio and identifying what product lines are the best fit for Cook moving forward and which might have more opportunity to grow or thrive elsewhere. We will take the proceeds of this sale and reinvest into our other business portfolios,” said Mark Breedlove, senior vice president Cook Medical’s Vascular Division. “Merit plans to leverage the skills, expertise and deep relationships Cook has built within the space to grow in this market.
Transaction details:
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical announced this morning it has signed a letter of intent with Astorg, a leading private equity firm with an extensive and successful track record in global healthcare investments, to purchase Cook’s Reproductive Health business (“Cook ART”). This sale, which includes the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) products, is another step toward fulfilling Cook’s vision for the future of the company.
Cook has been involved in the Reproductive Health space for more than 30 years, developing and launching products for in vitro fertilization and advanced reproductive therapies. Astorg, which has deep experience in investing in MedTech across both manufacturing and product businesses with a focus on growth and innovation, intends to acquire and simultaneously combine the Cook ART portfolio with Hamilton Thorne, a leading provider of precision instruments, consumables, software, and services to the ART research and the cell biology space. Through combining Cook ART and Hamilton Thorne, Astorg expects to create a leading ART provider with a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, innovative, and reliable equipment and consumables to better serve doctors, embryologists, researchers, and patients.
“Cook is focused on our vision to deliver a continuous stream of innovative new products and services to address unmet customer needs. Part of achieving that business strategy has included reviewing our product portfolio and identifying what product lines are the best fit for Cook moving forward and which might have more opportunity to grow or thrive elsewhere,” said DJ Sirota, senior vice president of Cook Medical’s MedSurg division. “Astorg has exciting plans to build an IVF/ART manufacturing hub at our facility in Vandergrift, PA, creating a core location for manufacturing operations for Cook ART products. The expertise and skill of our Reproductive Health commercial and manufacturing teams will be critical to this transaction, which reflects the value our employees have to this business, its customers, and patients around the world.”
Transaction details:
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Astorg
Astorg is a leading pan-European private equity firm with over €22 billion of assets under management and an extensive track record in global healthcare investments. Astorg works with entrepreneurs and management teams to acquire market leading global companies headquartered in Europe or the US, providing them with the strategic guidance, governance and capital they need to achieve their growth goals. Enjoying a distinct entrepreneurial culture, a long-term shareholder perspective and a lean decision-making body, Astorg has valuable industry expertise in healthcare, software, technology, business services and technology-based industrial companies. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Astorg has offices in London, Paris, New York, Frankfurt, and Milan.
For more information about Astorg: https://www.astorg.com/. Follow Astorg on LinkedIn.
Cook will become the exclusive distributor of EnteraSense’s PillSense product in the United States.
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical and EnteraSense, Ltd. have entered into an agreement where Cook will become the exclusive distributor of EnteraSense’s PillSense product in the United States. Cook will begin assuming sales management and marketing responsibilities for the product in Q4 2024. This distribution agreement is a new way for Cook to collaborate with other companies and do business, empowering Cook to offer the innovative PillSense technology to Cook customers.
PillSense is a novel blood-sensing system. After a patient swallows the PillSense capsule, the capsule can accurately detect upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The unique system offers significant value to customers as it allows for fast diagnosis and appropriate triaging of patients with suspected UGIB. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PillSense in February 2023.
“GI bleeds can be life-threatening. The sooner physicians can diagnose a bleed, the better chance a patient has of survival,” said Meurisse Leahy, director of product management for Cook’s Endoscopy specialty. “Physicians can combine PillSense with our Hemospray and Instinct Plus products to both diagnose and treat gastrointestinal bleeds faster. Through this distribution partnership, we’re excited to expedite delivery of this unique product to healthcare providers.”
“The innovative PillSense system can transform how UGIB patients are diagnosed and deliver significant benefits to patients, clinicians and hospitals. This strategic partnership between EnteraSense and Cook Medical will accelerate the availability of PillSense right across the US,” said Donal Devery, Chief Executive Officer, EnteraSense Ltd.
Distribution agreements like this are another way Cook is evolving to deliver a continuous stream of innovative products to treat more patients. Cook’s partnership with EnteraSense is the third distribution agreement Cook has entered into in 2024. In March, Cook announced distribution agreements for Bentley’s BeBack Catheter and Getinge’s iCast covered stent system. As Cook continues to change in line with its five-year vision, an integral part of the plan is fostering partnerships to diversify product offerings.
To learn more about PillSense, contact your local Cook Medical sales representative, or visit the Cook booth at the 2024 DDW (Digestive Disease Week) conference in Washington, DC, May 19-12, booth number 2401.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About EnteraSense
EnteraSense Limited is a medical device company founded in 2016 by Donal Devery, Dr. Marvin Ryou and Dr. Chris Thompson of Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in the United States. Based in Galway, Ireland, EnteraSense has developed an innovative gastrointestinal diagnostic device that can transform how Upper Gastric Bleeds are diagnosed. The company, whose investors include University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners and Enterprise Ireland, has started its product rollout and is focused on helping clinicians improve patient outcomes.
Mass Device—Cook Medical to distribute swallowable GI bleeding sensing device
The Irish Times—Galway-based start-up EnteraSense strikes deal with US medtech group
Limerick Post—Cook Medical lands distribution deal for clever pill
Limerick Leader—Limerick firm Cooks up new partnership with producers of revolutionary capsule
BusinessPlus—Cook Medical To Distribute EnteraSense GI Bleed Detection Capsule In US
Marsha Lovejoy accepts her award as Woman of the Year.
Bloomington, Ind. — While Marsha Lovejoy has been leading public relations at Cook Medical, she’s also been dedicating her time to community service and advocacy and the incredible results earned her the City of Bloomington 2024 Woman of the Year award.
Her career path in public relations and community engagement took a poignant turn a few months after the birth of her second child when she began experiencing symptoms of post-partum anxiety. Finding herself consumed with work and mom life, she felt called to champion a cause that would make a difference in the lives of others in her community.
Women in Bloomington—and all over the world— struggle to afford menstrual products, and that challenge only worsened when COVID hit. Research shows that 30% of women said the pandemic made it more difficult to access menstrual products, 29% of women struggled to purchase menstrual products, and 18% missed work due to a lack of menstrual products.
To address period poverty in her community, Lovejoy contacted I Support the Girls (ISTG), an international organization that gathers and distributes menstrual products and underclothes to people in need. Lovejoy became an affiliate director and began operating a Bloomington affiliate of ISTG. Using her networking and messaging skills gained from her 15 years in public relations at Cook, she quickly gathered donations. She began distributing supplies to homeless shelters, schools, and addiction recovery centers across Bloomington and several surrounding areas. In 2023 alone, she distributed more than 37,000 products!
While the results are amazing, they are also not surprising to those who know her.
Christa Curtis and Marsha Lovejoy at the City of Bloomington’s Commission of the Status of Women award ceremony.
“Marsha has been a fierce advocate for women for years. At Cook, she has advocated for maternity benefits, nursing rooms and flexible return-to-work plans for moms after childbirth. Supporting women with menstrual products and underclothes is very much in line with her passions and values,” said Christa Curtis, vice president of marketing and communications at Cook Medical. “Her candor and care mean that these topics aren’t awkward. She genuinely cares about people, and this is a need that the community desperately needed help with. To her, Cook’s value of caring for the community isn’t just a PR talking point—it’s how she lives her life.”
Others noticed her advocacy efforts too. Each March, the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women holds a Women’s History Month luncheon and recognizes individuals who are doing significant work to uplift other women. Marsha was nominated for, and won, the City of Bloomington 2024 Woman of the Year award.
“It’s hard to believe that in 2024, periods and even bras are still considered taboo by some people,” said Lovejoy. “It’s a human need. I am grateful for this award, and I hope it raises awareness about the barriers to dignity that people still face on a regular basis. Making a difference in your community can be as simple as noticing something that your neighbors and friends are struggling with. No effort or donation is too small.”
You can read the City of Bloomington’s press release about Marsha’s award here.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.