Sonosemi Medical

Sonosemi Medical has emerged as a notable player in China’s pan-vascular interventional device market since its founding in April 2020. The Shenzhen-based company achieved a significant milestone in October 2023 when its coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system became the first domestically developed product of its kind to receive NMPA approval in China.

Company Overview

Sonosemi Medical (赛禾医疗) was established with a focus on developing active (powered) interventional medical devices for pan-vascular disease treatment. The company’s founding team brings experience from established medical device manufacturers and ICT enterprises, with particular expertise in medical sensors, vascular interventional devices, and system integration.

Headquartered in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, Sonosemi has built its technology platform around two core competencies: intravascular shock wave therapy for calcified lesion treatment and ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging. By 2023, the company had accumulated over 100 patent applications, including more than 50 invention patents and 20+ integrated circuit layout design certificates.

The company positions itself as a platform for implantable interventional medical devices targeting coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and structural heart disease applications.

Core Products

LiqMagic Coronary IVL System

Sonosemi’s flagship product is the coronary intravascular lithotripsy system, comprising the LiqMagic C14 shockwave coronary balloon catheter and ISL100 Pro intravascular shockwave therapy device. This system received NMPA approval in October 2023, becoming China’s first domestically developed coronary IVL product to achieve market authorization.

The system delivers non-focused, pulsed mechanical energy through multiple miniaturized shock wave generators arranged within the balloon catheter. When positioned at a calcified lesion and inflated at low pressure, the device releases intermittent acoustic pressure waves that fracture both superficial and deep calcium deposits while preserving the vessel intima.

Peripheral Arterial IVL System

Building on its coronary platform, Sonosemi is developing a peripheral arterial intravascular shockwave therapy system for treating calcified lesions in peripheral arteries. This product remains in development as of early 2025.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)

The company has independently developed an intravascular ultrasound imaging system as part of its diagnostic product line. IVUS provides real-time cross-sectional imaging of coronary arteries during interventional procedures, enabling assessment of lesion characteristics and stent deployment.

Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE)

Sonosemi’s cardiac intracavitary ultrasound imaging system targets the growing market for image guidance during electrophysiology procedures and structural heart interventions. Both IVUS and ICE products aim to address what the company describes as gaps in domestic product availability in these diagnostic segments.

Technology & Innovation

Sonosemi’s technical differentiation centers on its proprietary shock wave generation and delivery technology. The coronary IVL system architecture differs from international competitors by utilizing a novel configuration of pressure wave generators that deliver 360-degree, omnidirectional energy distribution.

The company maintains an integrated R&D platform combining ultrasound technology with medical transducer development. This dual focus on therapeutic (IVL) and diagnostic (IVUS/ICE) devices positions Sonosemi to offer integrated solutions for calcified lesion assessment and treatment.

Key technical achievements include the development of custom integrated circuits for shock wave generation control and miniaturized transducer elements suitable for intravascular applications.

Market Presence

The coronary IVL market addresses a significant clinical need: coronary artery calcification affects approximately 50% of patients aged 40-49 and rises to 80% in those aged 60-69. Calcified lesions complicate approximately 20-30% of complex coronary interventions, often preventing adequate vessel preparation for stent implantation.

Sonosemi’s NMPA approval positioned it as an early domestic entrant in a market previously dominated by imported products. The company has indicated plans for international expansion, with global patent filings and overseas clinical trial preparations underway.

As of late 2023, Sonosemi projected forming a product portfolio of 4-6 commercialized devices by the end of 2024, spanning both therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Key Milestones

• 2020-04: Company founded in Shenzhen
• 2021-06: Completed Pre-A financing of approximately RMB 100 million led by Ruijian Venture Capital
• 2021-10: Coronary IVL system completed first clinical enrollment
• 2022-04: Completed Series A financing of hundreds of millions RMB with participation from Eight Roads, Alwin Capital, and Fu Rong Capital
• 2023-10: Coronary IVL system received NMPA approval (first domestic approval in category)
• 2023-10: Completed Series B financing exceeding RMB 200 million

Frequently Asked Questions

What products does Sonosemi Medical manufacture?

Sonosemi Medical develops intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) systems for treating calcified vascular lesions and ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging devices including IVUS and ICE. The company’s NMPA-approved coronary IVL system (LiqMagic) was the first domestically developed product of its type in China.

Is Sonosemi Medical publicly traded?

No, Sonosemi Medical is a privately held company. It has completed multiple private financing rounds through Series B as of October 2023.

How does intravascular lithotripsy differ from traditional calcification treatment?

Unlike rotational atherectomy or cutting balloons that mechanically remove calcium, IVL uses pulsed acoustic pressure waves to fracture calcified plaque from within the balloon. This approach can treat both superficial and deep calcium deposits while minimizing vessel trauma, and has a shorter learning curve for operators.