HICKY, aiming for innovative treatment of central sleep apnea to improve prognosis for heart failure patients, raises funds from Tokyo Wellness Impact Fund and CJS No. 2 Fund

HICKY Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kentaro Hayashi), a company developing treatment devices for central sleep apnea to improve the prognosis of heart failure, has raised funds from the Tokyo Wellness Impact Fund and CJS No. 2 Fund. This funding will accelerate the development of next-generation treatment devices and fully launch initiatives for clinical trials and commercialization. ■ Background: The Challenge of Untreated Central Sleep Apnea Heart failure patients are increasing globally, with reports indicating that one in four people will develop it in their lifetime. Furthermore, approximately 40% of heart failure patients also suffer from central sleep apnea (CSA). CSA is a condition where breathing becomes unstable or stops during sleep, not only impairing sleep quality but also being a significant issue linked to worsening heart failure, increased re-hospitalization rates, and even higher mortality risk. However, current treatment options are limited, and many patients do not receive adequate treatment due to the burden of initiating treatment and the difficulty of continuation. ■ HICKY's Technology: Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Treatment Device with Stent-Type x Wireless Power To solve this medical challenge, HICKY is developing a next-generation central sleep apnea treatment device that combines a stent-type structure with wireless power supply technology. This device has the following features: * Neurostimulation technology: Aims to reproduce more natural breathing by stimulating the phrenic nerve to move the diaphragm. * Stent-type structure: Designed to be placed inside blood vessels, allowing for quicker introduction compared to existing treatments. * Wireless power supply technology: Aims for more minimally invasive treatment by eliminating the need for a subcutaneous generator. * Leadless design: Expected to reduce lead-related burden and complication risks. Through these features, HICKY aims to reduce the physical burden on patients while promoting both the widespread adoption of treatment and improved access. ■ Use of Funds This funding will accelerate the following initiatives: * Miniaturization and optimization of device design * Promotion of preclinical and clinical trials * Advancement of regulatory compliance (Q-Sub / IDE application preparation) * Establishment of a global clinical collaboration system ■ Investor Comments “Having gone through the University of Tokyo Biodesign program, this project, which addresses critical needs in clinical settings, is steadily progressing in development by a team with both expertise and drive. We are confident that the realization of this project will be a major turning point in improving the prognosis of heart failure patients, and we have decided to invest. Our fund will work together with HICKY to create the social impact it aims for.” “We are very pleased to have invested in HICKY Inc. Central sleep apnea is an unmet medical need affecting heart failure patients worldwide. HICKY possesses unique device technology, a development system focused on clinical and regulatory aspects in Japan and the US, and high potential for future commercialization and global expansion originating from Japan. In particular, its minimally invasive and sustainable treatment”