AMT Medical raises €25 million for bypass procedure without open-Heart surgery

Date:
AMT medical

AMT Medical, a medtech company based in Ede and Utrecht, has announced the closing of a €25 million funding round. The round was led by Bender Analytical Holding, with participation from Invest-NL, the European Innovation Council (EIC), and existing investors. This milestone accelerates AMT’s mission to make open-heart bypass surgery obsolete through its groundbreaking ELANA® Heart Bypass System.

A revolution in cardiac surgery: key innovations

The ELANA® Heart Bypass System enables surgeons to perform a highly advanced form of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using arterial rather than venous grafts. This is done through small incisions in the chest, while the heart continues to beat, and without the use of a heart-lung machine. As a result, the risk of stroke and other complications is significantly reduced, and patients recover much faster. This represents a major shift from traditional methods, which require opening the chest, stopping the heart, and involve lengthy recovery times.

The technique uses a specialized clip and an excimer laser to connect blood vessels, eliminating the need for manual suturing. This enables fast, precise, and reliable vessel connections with fewer complications.

Moreover, the system cuts costs by over 50% when used in combination with surgical robots— thanks to shorter operating room times, reduced hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster learning curve for surgeons compared to traditional bypass surgery.

Next steps

With CE marking expected by 2026 and clinical trials in the U.S. on the horizon, this funding will support:

  • Completion of our European first-in-human trial (results late 2025)
  • Expansion into robotic-assisted keyhole surgery, partnering with industry leaders
  • A future where 1 million patients annually benefit from safer, faster cardiac care

Rutger Tulleken, CEO of AMT Medical, said: “This financing validates our vision to obsolete open-heart bypass. By enabling same-day discharge procedures, we’re not just improving outcomes—we’re rewriting the future of cardiovascular care.”

Free Bicycle Light Repairs Mark Launch of National Cycling Visibility Campaign in Utrecht

The national bicycle lighting campaign ‘AAN in het donker’ (Lights On in the Dark) will be launched on 29 October on Leuvenlaan at Utrecht Science Park. Between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., cyclists can have their lights checked and repaired free of charge. André van Schie, Member of the Provincial Executive, will be there to talk to Utrecht residents about the importance of proper bicycle lighting.

Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht awarded with twelve NWO Vidi-grants

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded Vidi grants to 109 researchers. Twelve leading researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht will each receive a Vidi grant of up to €850,000. NWO awards Vidi grants annually, enabling recipients to develop an innovative line of research over the next five years and further expand their research teams.

Ureka Mega Challenge winner 2026: ReVoice restores one’s own voice after voice loss

People who lose their voice, for example after surgery for head and neck cancer, want to be able to speak again with a voice that sounds like their own. ReVoice aims to provide this, with the help of AI. With this innovation, head and neck surgeon Weibel Braunius, innovation manager Mart Schoondermark, and patient Boudewijn Faber won the Ureka Mega Challenge 2026 from UMC Utrecht.

Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight

Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.