HBOX Therapies is a pioneering medical device company based in Aachen, Germany, developing next generation solutions for extracorporeal gas exchange. Founded in 2021, we focus on creating compact, efficient, and user-friendly systems that bring safer, smarter, and more effective respiratory support to patients with acute respiratory failure.
"Acute respiratory failure is the most common, life-threatening condition in critically ill patients." [1]
Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a daily reality in intensive care units [2]. It occurs when the lungs can no longer exchange enough oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, often due to conditions like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, or respiratory viruses.
The current standard of care, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), frequently leads to serious complications including lung injury, muscle degradation, and infection, with a high mortality rate of over 35%[3]. Patients are typically sedated, which limits communication, increases ICU burden, and prolongs recovery.
Despite its widespread use, IMV remains a high-risk, resource-intensive therapy. A safer, more sustainable alternative is urgently needed to improve outcomes and reduce the strain on patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems [4].
1. Jaber, S., Citerio, G. & Slutsky, A.S. Acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: why a special issue in ICM?. Intensive Care Med 46, 2131–2132 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06298-7
2. WHO (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death)
3. Welker, C. et. al. 2021, 2021 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Update, With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Focus, Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, Volume 36, Issue 4, 1188 - 1195. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2021.02.053
4. Extracorporeal Life Support: The ELSO Red Book, 6th Edition
Building on existing extracorporeal support technologies, we are rethinking the core components to better meet the specific needs of patients requiring respiratory support and the clinicians who care for them.
The MiRA system is expected to be a novel extracorporeal treatment option supporting patients with acute respiratory failure by directly oxygenating the blood and removing carbon dioxide, independent of the lungs. Unlike invasive mechanical ventilation, the MiRA system is intended to protect the lungs and allow them time to recover.
It aims to enable spontaneous breathing in patients while potentially minimizing complications typically associated with invasive respiratory support. Planned for use in intensive care units, the MiRA system is expected to provide an effective and less invasive alternative for patients who fail non-invasive support. It may help reduce the duration of hospital stays, potentially lower treatment costs, and could contribute to improved patient survival outcomes.
At the heart of the MiRA system is a powerful combination of three proprietary innovations: an advanced artificial lung, a hyperbaric gas management system, and a novel blood pump. The artificial lung features a blood-friendly flow profile and a significantly reduced foreign surface area, to limit inflammation and clotting. The hyperbaric technology increases gas exchange efficiency using pressurized gas, enabling higher oxygen delivery and CO₂ removal. The MiRA blood pump is designed to minimize blood damage through active flow control, delivering reliable performance at a fraction of the cost of conventional systems. Together, these technologies enable a new standard in lung support.
The MiRA artificial lung is designed to maximize gas exchange efficiency with minimal foreign surface area and blood damage. By significantly reducing the foreign surface area, optimizing flow distribution and wash out, it lowers blood damage, as well as the risk of inflammatory reactions, thrombosis, and the need for aggressive anticoagulation.
Despite its compact size, the artificial lung achieves exceptional performance due to its membrane configuration and flow profile, enabling effective oxygen delivery and CO₂ removal at lower blood flow rates, targeting safer and earlier intervention in critically ill patients.
At the core of the MiRA system's performance is its smart gas management to reduce user interactions and ensure patient safety. It can also generate a hyperbaric environment that enhances the transfer of oxygen into the blood and the removal rate of CO₂, reducing device complexity and size, without compromising therapeutic impact.
The MiRA system features a novel blood pump designed specifically for mid-flow conditions. In-vitro tests have shown significantly reduced blood damage compared to conventional blood pumps.
Our three founders, Peter, Niklas, and Matthias, met while working at the Department of Cardiovascular Engineering at University Hospital RWTH Aachen, a leading institution in cardiovascular technologies and artificial lung research. With a shared background in medical devices and a strong commitment to improving respiratory support, they founded HBOX Therapies to bring next-generation gas exchange technologies into clinical practice.
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Co-CEO
Niklas brings over 8 years of experience in the development of artificial lungs and blood-contacting medical devices. With a background in mechanical engineering and additional training in leadership and organizational development, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership.
Co-Founder & Managing Director, CTO
Peter is the inventor of HBOX Therapies' core technology and brings more than 15 years of experience in artificial lung development. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University, he has led numerous research and development projects in blood-contacting medical devices.
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Co-CEO
Matthias combines a strong scientific and business background with a PhD in theoretical medicine and a master's degree in business, economics and management. With over 8 years of experience in medical device development and a focus on health economics, he leads HBOX Therapies' financial strategy and fundraising.
Recognition of our innovative approach to respiratory support
