The Memo: NeoCor Advancing a New Approach to Mitral Valve Repair

Under the direction of Founder and CEO Dr. George Kramer, NeoCor is developing a novel transcatheter solution for mitral and tricuspid valve disease. Guided by the philosophy of “One Medicine, One Health, One World,” the company’s CoApt Valve™ is being designed for both human and canine patients, combining a leaflet augmentation approach with an ultra-low profile delivery system intended to expand access to minimally invasive treatment. As NeoCor advances toward first-in-human studies, the company is positioning its technology to address one of structural heart’s largest remaining unmet needs.

Origin Story

NeoCor was founded by Dr. George Kramer, who serves as the company’s Founder and CEO. From the beginning, the company’s vision has extended beyond a single patient population.

“Adhering to the philosophy of ‘One Medicine, One Health, One World,’ the CoApt Valve is being developed for both canine and human mitral valve disease,” Kramer explained. “It is designed to provide a minimally invasive solution for severe mitral and tricuspid valve disease, significantly extending life expectancy and quality of life.”

While NeoCor is initially focused on the U.S. market, the company ultimately plans to expand internationally as development progresses. Supporting that vision is what Kramer describes as a multidisciplinary team with extensive cardiovascular expertise.

“We have a passionate multidisciplinary team with deep expertise,” he said, “which drives NeoCor to deliver breakthrough cardiovascular therapies.”

The Current Landscape

Mitral valve disease affects millions of people worldwide, and the need for less invasive treatment continues to grow alongside an aging population. According to NeoCor, approximately 2% to 3% of the global population is affected, including roughly 7.8 million people in the United States. Another 250,000 new patients are diagnosed each year, with prevalence increasing significantly among older adults.

For patients with severe disease, surgical repair remains the preferred standard because it preserves the native valve apparatus and offers better long-term outcomes than replacement. Yet many patients never receive surgery.

“Fewer than 50% of those patients requiring the surgery receive it due to high surgical risks and patient preference,” Kramer said. “This reality drives the unmet clinical need for less invasive treatment options.”

NeoCor believes existing transcatheter technologies still leave room for innovation.

As Kramer explained on stage at LSI USA ‘26, “It’s a competitive landscape, but we think we offer a dramatically different solution.”

Inside the Innovation

NeoCor’s CoApt Valve takes a fundamentally different approach from traditional transcatheter valve replacement systems. Rather than replacing the native valve or functioning as a transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) device, it is designed as a leaflet augmentation device that restores the heart’s normal coaptation zone while maintaining the integrity of the annulus, atrioventricular valve, and subvalvular apparatus.

The transcatheter device is implanted through transvenous catheterization, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass.

“Our valve incorporates a unique anchoring system to ensure stability and secure placement during implantation,” Kramer said. “Our valve has a unique tubular design which works in cooperation with the native leaflets to optimize function and durability, enhancing valve performance and patient outcomes.”

For engineers and structural heart specialists, several design features distinguish the platform.

The CoApt Valve is delivered through an ultra-low profile 8.5 Fr sheath, substantially reducing the size of the access system compared to many transcatheter valve replacement platforms. Its electrospun polymeric valve component functions alongside the patient’s native leaflets, while a flexible nitinol umbrella frame protects against prolapse without restricting natural annular motion. The stentless architecture also avoids left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and neochord tethers provide both secure fixation and tensioning between the ventricle and annulus. 

Progress and Milestones

NeoCor is currently in the preclinical stage and is planning first-in-human studies within the next 12 to 18 months. The company continues to conduct comprehensive preclinical testing to validate the safety and efficacy of the CoApt Valve before entering clinical trials.

The technology has already demonstrated encouraging performance in both a preclinical porcine heart study and a canine study.

“We have seen great success with the performance of our valve in both a preclinical porcine heart study as well as a 30-day transvenous transseptal delivery of the valve in a canine model,” Kramer said.

NeoCor previously raised $3.7 million in Seed financing and has submitted an SBIR grant as part of its non-dilutive funding strategy. The company is now seeking $15 million in Series A financing to advance the CoApt Valve through first-in-human studies and position the technology for early feasibility studies and commercialization.

NeoCor has also become an active participant in the LSI community, using events to connect with investors, strategic partners, and key opinion leaders.

“LSI is unique in the way they bring all the players together,” Kramer said. “We have attended LSI Europe and LSI USA over the past 12 months and have made critical connections. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to present and connect with key players within the LSI global network.”

Join Us at LSI Europe ‘26

Kramer has been selected to present at LSI Europe '26, September 28th–October 1st, in front of hundreds of global medical technology companies. Join us in welcoming him to the event in Barcelona, where he will share the latest updates on NeoCor’s technology and development.