HICKY Secures Funding from Tokyo Wellness Impact Fund and CJS Fund No. 2 to Develop Innovative Treatment for Central Sleep Apnea in Heart Failure Patients

HICKY, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kentaro Hayashi), a company developing treatment devices for central sleep apnea to improve the prognosis of heart failure patients, has secured funding from the Tokyo Wellness Impact Fund and the CJS Fund No. 2. This funding will accelerate the development of next-generation treatment devices and initiate full-scale efforts toward clinical trials and commercialization. ■ Background: The Challenge of Untreated Central Sleep Apnea Heart failure is increasing globally, with reports suggesting that 1 in 4 people will develop it in their lifetime. Furthermore, approximately 40% of heart failure patients are estimated to suffer from Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). CSA is a condition where breathing becomes unstable or stops during sleep. It is a critical issue not only because it impairs sleep quality but also because it is associated with worsening heart failure, higher readmission rates, and increased mortality risk. However, current treatment options are limited, and many patients remain untreated due to the burden of treatment initiation and the difficulty of adherence. ■ HICKY's Technology: Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Treatment Device 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 transfer technology. This device features: - Neurostimulation Technology: Aims to reproduce more natural breathing by stimulating the phrenic nerve and moving the diaphragm. - Stent-type Structure: Designed for placement within blood vessels, it is expected to be easier to implement compared to existing treatments. - Wireless Power Transfer Technology: Aims for less invasive treatment by eliminating the need for a subcutaneous generator. - Leadless Design: Expected to reduce the burden and risk of complications associated with leads. Through these features, the company aims to reduce the physical burden on patients while promoting treatment accessibility. ■ Use of Funds With this funding, the company will accelerate the following initiatives: - Miniaturization and design optimization of the device - Promotion of preclinical and clinical trials - Regulatory affairs (preparation for Q-Sub / IDE applications) - Building a global clinical collaboration framework ■ Investor Comments Having gone through the University of Tokyo Biodesign program, this project captures the urgent needs of the clinical field and is being steadily developed by a team with both expertise and drive. I am confident that the realization of this project will be a major turning point in improving the prognosis of heart failure patients, which led to our decision to invest. Our fund will work closely with HICKY to create the social impact they aim for. We are very pleased to have invested in HICKY. Central sleep apnea is an unmet medical need affecting heart failure patients worldwide. In addition to its unique device technology, HICKY has built a development structure in Japan and the US that anticipates clinical and regulatory needs, and it has high potential for future commercialization and global expansion from Japan. We are particularly excited about the possibility of delivering treatment to patients regardless of their region by lowering the barriers to entry in medical settings through minimally invasive and sustainable treatment. As the CJS Fund No. 2, we will work with the company to establish the next generation of treatment standards to save as many heart failure patients as possible. ■ CEO Comment Kentaro Hayashi, CEO Despite the significant impact of central sleep apnea on the prognosis of heart failure patients, effective treatment options remain limited. We aim to contribute to improving the quality of life and survival prognosis of patients worldwide by realizing more minimally invasive and sustainable treatments. With this funding as a catalyst, we will accelerate both development and clinical efforts to move toward social implementation. ■ Future Outlook As a startup originating from the University of Tokyo Biodesign, HICKY leverages its strength in medical device development based on clinical needs to redefine the standard for CSA treatment. We will further strengthen our collaboration with domestic and international medical and research institutions to promote global clinical development and business expansion.