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Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Water Vapor – The Francis Medical Story

October 2024

Sower Ventures’ strategy of driving equity multiple returns for our investors is based on strong partnerships with experts in niche areas of the venture capital landscape. One of those strong partnerships has been with Solas BioVentures, based in Chattanooga, TN. Sower has committed investment capital (through the Sower-Solas I, LP Offering) to the Solas Emerging Healthcare Fund. Francis Medical is a component of that Fund.

Francis Medical is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to treating urological cancers with their Vanquish® Water Vapor Ablation System. This innovative technology uses the energy stored in just a few drops of water to precisely ablate cancerous tissues, minimizing the side effects often seen with traditional prostate cancer treatments, such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Focused on offering a less invasive option, Francis Medical’s solution promises quicker recovery times and improved quality of life, representing a significant leap forward in cancer care.

Cancer ablation by water vapor is a minimally invasive treatment that uses the energy stored in heated water vapor (steam) to destroy cancerous tissue. This method delivers precise bursts of steam to the target area, causing cancer cells to die while leaving surrounding healthy tissue largely unaffected. The approach offers advantages like reduced side effects, quicker recovery, and less invasive procedures compared to conventional treatments like surgery or radiation.

It’s currently used in urological cancers, particularly prostate cancer, aiming to improve patient outcomes. Michael Hoey, Ph.D., MBA, is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Francis Medical. He is an accomplished inventor and entrepreneur in the medical field, with extensive expertise in thermal therapies. He previously co-founded NxThera, where he developed the vapor ablation technology that has become a cornerstone in treating prostate cancer and other urological conditions.

At Francis Medical, Hoey is focused on furthering this innovative technology for cancer ablation using water vapor. His work aims to develop minimally invasive treatments for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. Hoey has contributed significantly to the medical device industry, holding numerous patents and playing a key role in raising substantial capital for technological development​ Water vapor technology is a medical treatment method that uses heated water vapor, or steam, to ablate (destroy) targeted tissue, often in a minimally invasive way. In the context of cancer treatment, this technology delivers precise bursts of water vapor directly to cancerous tissues, causing cell death through thermal energy. The heat stored in the vapor transfers to the tissue, damaging or killing the cells without the need for cutting or radiation.

This technology has been particularly successful in treating conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and is now being expanded for use in prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. The advantages of water vapor technology include minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue, reduced side effects (such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction), and quicker recovery times compared to traditional surgery or radiation therapy​. This approach represents a significant advancement in providing a less invasive option for cancer treatment, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

To learn more about Francis Medical and Dr. Hoey, visit: https://www.francismedical.com/.