Ceribell gets $50 million funding for seizure monitoring technology

Ceribell has played a pivotal role in improving the accuracy of neurological patient diagnosis by creating an electroencephalography (EEG) system. It claims that by utilizing its brain monitor for point-of-care seizure triage, its technology platform solves the requirement to diagnose patients suspected of having a seizure.

The current round of funding as disclosed by the company amounts to $50 million. It adds to Ceribell’s existing pool of $53 million in series C funding, as of 2021. The $50 million was provided by a new emerging investor Ally Bridge Group, with some current shareholders actively participating. Ceribell did not reveal the specific composition of that group, but earlier investors including Rise Find, Longitude Capital, UCB, LivaNova, and others, contributed to the first phase of funding. To date, Ceribell has successfully raised more than $150 million in funding since its inception in 2014. 

A portion of the funding will be invested in the expansion of emergency rooms and intensive care units. The funding will also enable Ceribell to use machine learning and increase EEG accessibility for neurological diseases other than seizures.

The gathered readings are automatically relayed to a linked phone, where neurological activity is converted into sound, and collected algorithms can help detect potential seizures and warn healthcare providers. The EEG measurements are also connected in real-time to an internet site, allowing clinicians to remotely monitor their patients. The complete system takes approximately five minutes to set up, and seizure detection may start right away.

As per the research, the technology can identify status epilepticus which is an attack that lasts for more than 5 minutes with 100% sensitivity. Integration of clinical judgment and Ceribell method has increased the accuracy of results from 65% to 90%. In the future, Ceribell intends to improve the device’s capabilities to monitor the brain for neurological diseases other than seizures.

Jane Chao, CEO of Ceribell stated “Per the progress report, Ceribell Rapid EEG system is enhancing the level of care given to hospitalized patients experiencing seizures. We look forward to expanding the use of this innovative technology in ICUs and emergency rooms as well as developing monitoring and diagnostic tools for additional neurological conditions that have a negative impact on the lives of critically ill patients “

Ceribell has been granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its application in analyzing EEG waveform data with the help of a machine that looks for signs of delirium.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation is intended to speed up the examination of items that might be used to treat incapacitating or life-threatening illnesses although it is not a marketing approval. The program’s objectives are to maintain the statutory requirements for the 510(k) approval while facilitating quick access to medical devices for patients and healthcare professionals. Today, Ceribell has been granted four clearances of 510(k).

Earlier this year, Epitel another competitor in the seizure-detection and treatment field, secured $12.5 million in Series A investment to launch its wearable EEG technology. Zeit received $2 million in late 2021 to create a stroke and seizure-detection headband.