AXA IM Alts, a leader in alternative investments and AXA Investment Managers’ alternative business unit, manages over €184 bn in assets. They announced a €13 mn lead investment in a €24 mn financing round for Novocuff, a medical device company focused on women’s health, improving pregnancy outcomes, and reducing preterm births.
This investment, via AXA IM Alts’ Global Healthcare Private Equity Strategy, will fund a pivotal multi-site clinical trial across the US, support an FDA marketing submission, and aid Novocuff’s growth and early commercialization of the Novocuff Cervical Control System
The Novocuff CCS aims to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce preterm birth, specifically addressing preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Preterm birth, affecting over 13 mn babies globally each year, remains the leading cause of death for children under five.
Survivors often face expensive hospital stays and lifelong health issues. The economic impact of preterm births exceeds $25 bn annually.
Currently, no reliable therapies or devices exist for retaining amniotic fluid or extending latency after PPROM.
Novocuff’s innovative approach aims to address these critical conditions. Their mission is to transform care standards and improve pregnancy outcomes globally.
The Novocuff CCS is minimally invasive, non-surgical, and doesn’t require special storage conditions.
AXA IM Alts’ Global Healthcare Private Equity Strategy invests in companies offering innovative and affordable solutions to global health challenges, particularly in high-volume markets with growing healthcare demands.
This investment aligns with the UN’s goal to reduce newborn mortality to fewer than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births and supports Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
As the leading cause of infant mortality globally, preterm birth is a serious unaddressed global health issue. The near- and long-term negative impacts on the patient, and the economic burden on health systems, have created a pressing and dire situation
Curt Labelle, Head of Healthcare Private Equity AXA IM Alts
“Given the lack of effective solutions currently available to address this global health challenge, we are thrilled to directly contribute to Novocuff’s mission of improving pregnancy outcomes. We have followed Novocuff since its founding and are excited about the company’s progress and clinical data generated to date,” Curt Labelle says.
The investment should enable completion of a U.S. pivotal study and the introduction of the Novocuff device to global markets, including low- and middle-income countries.
This aligns with goals at AXA IM Alts of generating measurable and positive healthcare outcomes alongside attractive long-term financial returns for our investors.
With over 20 years of experience in private equity impact and healthcare investing, AXA IM Alts focuses on the women’s health sector. This investment underscores their commitment to this area and their dedicated origination channels.
