The Next Generation of Heart Valves
The story of Dr. Shira Burg, a veterinarian who developed a dynamic valve that is capable of changing its shape during catheterization, may bring good news to cardiac patients around the globe. Moments after she won a prestigious award at a leading cardiology conference in the world, she is already looking toward the next big thing. The goal: to conduct clinical trials in humans in 2027.
This is the story of Symbiosis, or rather of Dr. Shira Burg. Until just a few years ago, she was an emergency and intensive care veterinarian for small animals, but one chance event opened a door towards a new world of medical entrepreneurship and innovation.
"I had never been part of the world of entrepreneurship, so I never aimed in that direction," she says at the beginning of our interview, and later provides details about a medical discovery that occurred to her involving dynamic valves, which later led to global recognition. "The idea was born as part of the treatment I gave to dogs suffering from mitral insufficiency. This is a condition in which the mitral valve, on the left side of the heart, degenerates and/or dilates, a condition that disrupts the one-way flow of oxygenated blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. In such a situation, over time the heart function becomes impaired and secondary complications such as pulmonary edema and arrhythmias develop, leading to impaired quality of life, repeated hospitalizations and life-threatening complications. The lack of a solution to cure this disease in dogs led me to attend cardiology conferences for humans. As part of the research process, I realized that this was the same disease in dogs and humans, and that it involves a dynamic anatomy that changes over the cardiac cycle and differs from patient to patient. The developed solutions are valves that are not dynamic in either shape or size, and therefore are difficult to use. About 80% of patients with mitral insufficiency are not candidates for valve replacement due to anatomical variation."
After this "light-bulb moment," Burg decided to take action and develop a dynamic and flexible valve that works in harmony with the heart's relaxation and contraction process. Although those close to her tried to dissuade her from this path and in some cases even advised her to abandon the idea, Burg chose to follow her heart, continuing to develop the model while studying for her doctorate in cardiac electrophysiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. There, she was involved in developing a drug for atrial fibrillation, which is considered the most common arrhythmia in the world, and which is also a secondary complication in patients with mitral insufficiency and carries an increased risk of stroke.
However, this was only the beginning of an inspired journey for Burg, who was subsequently accepted into an entrepreneurship course at Tel Aviv University's Entrepreneurship Center for women doctoral students during her studies at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Medicine. There she was introduced to women entrepreneurs and joined up with Varda Badet, who for years managed the risk management department at Bank Leumi and is considered an experienced and savvy businesswoman.
The connection between the two was quick, and in February 2021, a year after their initial meeting, they founded Symbiosis. Badet was in charge of recruiting the initial investors who joined the process, while Burg continued the research and development work. "Later, in 2023, I realized how deep our connection is," says Burg. "This happened after I found out that Varda's father died due to mitral insufficiency, as he was not a candidate for open heart valve replacement surgery. That was the moment when I realized that we are trying to do something that is much greater than ourselves."
What do you mean?
"The company has developed a dynamic valve that can change its shape anatomically depending on the patient, during a valve replacement procedure using a catheter without the need for open heart surgery. This is possible thanks to the 'flexible balloons' we produced, which are able to change their shape according to the surrounding anatomy."
Where does development stand at this stage?
We have completed acute pre-clinical trials and are conducting chronic trials, with human trials set for 2027.
Today, Symbiosis has a strong team of 9 full-time employees and is hiring. Our advisory board includes world-renowned key opinion leaders: Stan Rowe (ex-CSO, Edwards Lifesciences), Dr. Marc Gillinov (Chair, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic), and Prof. Ole De Backer (Interventional cardiologist, Rigshospitalet).
In addition to winning awards, Symbiosis has secured grants and raised a Series A round in 2024. We are actively developing our IP portfolio to strengthen our competitive edge in the market.
Award from leading cardiologists around the world
Last October was a highlight for Dr. Burg particularly, and for Symbiosis in general. The event: the TCT conference in Washington, USA, which is considered a leading cardiology conference globally. The company won the SHARK TANK competition, ahead of dozens of companies that submitted applications. The win came with a substantial prize of $200,000.
Dr. Burg is still finding it difficult to hide her tremendous excitement. "The mere recognition at a competition during a conference of this magnitude is unprecedented. World-renowned cardiologists sat on the panel of judges as well as in the audience of the competition. To receive this award from them is just incredible, especially as an Israeli," she says.
Dr. Robert S. Schwartz, President of the John DeHaan Association for Breakthrough Cardiac Innovation and Medical Director of the Minneapolis Heart Institute, talks with Dr. Shira Burg after winning the competition.
Did you believe you would win first prize?
We believe that our technology is unique and has the potential to become a market leader. However, for years, I hesitated to bring our work into the spotlight of the scientific community, unsure of how it would be received. During the competition, the panel of judges rigorously challenged each company that took the stage. Right after our presentation, we received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, reinforcing our confidence in our innovation. I will never forget the moment—about 45 minutes after my presentation—when I received the email announcing our victory. It was an indescribable feeling of joy and validation.
What are the implications of winning such a competition?
"The immediate effect is mainly increased awareness in the global cardiology scientific community. Shortly after the win, we received a series of offers for initial clinical trials in highly regarded hospitals and medical institutions in Europe and the United States. From the moment I received the validation, it gave me confidence that our development is indeed worthwhile. A realization that everything we have spent days and nights doing for years makes clinical sense in saving people's lives. This makes this investment worth all the challenges along the way."
Despite the defining peak moment, Symbiosis is not resting on its laurels and is determined to continue investing efforts to promote development and research, alongside a recently completed successful funding round.
According to Dr. Burg: "We believe that our product is different in its concept from other heart valve products, and our goal is to use this technology to present additional innovative solutions in the foreseeable future."
Symbiosis
Established: 2021
Founders: Dr. Shira Burg, Varda Badet
Field of activity: Medical devices
Vision: To offer new heart valve solutions
In partnership with Symbiosis
