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—a medical device startup focused on developing novel solutions and applications for the field of gastroenterology—was recently awarded $225,000 through the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and $310,000 through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These awards will allow the company to further technologies in the field of gastroenterology, specifically their C-Tube product line that incorporates proprietary Pillar™ micro-texture technology.

“These investments will allow us to finalize an entirely new balloon and overtube design that will enable consistent and complete colonoscopy procedures,” said Dr. Mark Rentschler, Aspero Medical CEO and CU Boulder professor of mechanical engineering. “We are extremely grateful to have received both grants, and this novel balloon design will have a significant impact for both caregivers and patients."

Read more about the NSF SBIR grant announcement here.

The company has also expanded its team and the two new hires will be focused on supporting this new product line. 

Allison Lyle will serve as director of engineering and will most immediately lead the company's C-Tube large bowel intraoperative endoscopy balloon overtube product development project. Over the previous ten years with both Bolder Surgical™ and Medtronic, Allison has developed experience in all stages of medical device product development, from early stage concept generation to technical feasibility assessments. She has also been involved in product actualization and commercialization efforts in her career.

Jeff Castleberry will serve as director of operations and brings over 35 years of diverse experience in the medical device industry field to the team. He has a demonstrated track record of building new companies and bringing new products and technologies to market. He has held senior leadership roles in operations with CardioOptics, Inc and Plexus Corp., and was president and Chief Operations Officer for a previous University of Colorado technology spinoff, EndoShape, Inc.

"We are extremely pleased to add both Allison and Jeff to the team," said Rentschler. "They bring the broad experience in new product development, operations and product commercialization that is necessary for Aspero Medical to realize the launch and commercialization of our products and technology. I look forward to working with them as we continue to build out the company and our product offering."

Aspero Medical is a spinout company of CU Boulder’s Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering and CU Anschutz Medical Campus. They have been working consistently with Venture Partners since 2015 to commercialize their technology.