Sisu Global Health wins $25,000 at GE-backed competition

Sisu Global Health got more recognition for its device that recycles blood for use during surgery, winning the First Mile Innovation Challenge.
The competition, which was run by the Consortium of Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech), GE Sustainable Healthcare Solutions and MGH Global Health, sought applications from around the world that address health hardships in low and middle income countries. About 80 companies from 16 countries applied, according to an announcement.
Sisu Global Health, which relocated to Baltimore from Michigan in 2015, received $25,000 for the win. Additionally, they get access to CAMTech’s platform and intros to GE’s recently-launched five.eight accelerator, which aims to invest $50 million in health startups.
The company’s handheld device, called the Hemafuse, pumps blood from an internal hemhorrage into a blood bag, allowing it to be reused. The process, known as autotransfusion, can replace the need for donor blood, which is used in underserved countries. Sisu Global Health has been concentrating efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, including usability studies in three countries and a clinical pilot in Ethiopia. The company is working on securing regulatory approval to begin sales in Ghana.
“Winning the First Mile Innovation Challenge offers our team access to valuable mentorship, resources and relationships with key stakeholders that will be critical in order for us to propel Hemafuse toward commercialization,” CEO Carolyn Yarina said in a statement.
The Rise of the Rest winners also moved into new offices in Remington earlier this year, according to the startup’s blog.