Caldera Medical Awarded Grant for Groundbreaking Biomedical Research

Therapeutic Discovery Grant Awarded For Research and Development of Novel Devices for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Caldera Medical, Inc. announced today that it was awarded two Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Grants in the total amount of $488,958 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as part of its new Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program created by the Affordable Care Act. The program was designed to provide tax credits and grants to businesses that show significant potential to produce new and cost-saving therapies, address unmet medical needs, support good jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness in the fields of life, biological, and medical sciences.

“We are dedicated to bringing new innovations to the Gynecology, Urology, and Urogynecology marketplaces and this grant will allow us to expedite and expand our efforts.”

Caldera Medical received the maximum grant amount for research and development work on two innovative, minimally invasive products designed for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) that Caldera plans to launch in 2011. SUI affects approximately 15 million women in the U.S. with an estimated 1 in 3 women suffering some degree of SUI. POP is one of the most common quality of life conditions facing women with nearly 50% of women who have given birth vaginally developing this condition. Patients often present with a dual diagnosis of SUI and POP due to their similar underlying etiology.

“Caldera Medical is extremely honored to receive this award. The recognition of Caldera Medical for its valuable contribution to the treatment of SUI and POP via this grant reaffirms Caldera Medical’s position as a leader in the field of Women’s Health” commented Bryon L. Merade, Chairman and CEO of Caldera Medical. “We are dedicated to bringing new innovations to the Gynecology, Urology, and Urogynecology marketplaces and this grant will allow us to expedite and expand our efforts.”

Caldera Medical has assembled a world-class team of engineers to work on these projects spearheaded by Stéphane Gobron, Director of Engineering and Stacey Colonna, Project Leader. Mr. Gobron is a highly accomplished medical device and implant designer, with 19 U.S. patents and 23 U.S. patent applications to his name spanning several medical fields of application. Stacey Colonna holds both an MBA from University of Chicago as well as a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. Stacey Colonna’s efforts were critical in Caldera Medical receiving these grants.

Caldera Medical’s current product portfolio includes Desara^® Sling System for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Ascend^® Pelvic Floor Repair System with Apical Support for Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Both products utilize a suite of reusable instruments.

About Caldera Medical

Caldera Medical is dedicated to bringing innovative medical devices to the marketplace. Caldera focuses exclusively on differentiated, high-impact products across the gynecology, urology and urogynecology specialties.

Caldera Medical is a privately held company located in Agoura Hills, California. For more information, visit Caldera's Web site at www.calderamedical.com.