Tal Medical

Tal Medical, Inc. was a clinical-stage medical device company focused on developing treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Founded in 2010 by PureTech Ventures, along with neuroscientists and clinicians, the company was established to advance a novel neuromodulation technology. One of the founders, Andrew Miller, also served as the Chief Operating Officer. The company's efforts were centered on a technology known as Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS), which was exclusively licensed from McLean Hospital. The scientific basis for LFMS stemmed from the observation that MRI imaging could have a rapid, mood-elevating effect.

The company's business was the development of a non-invasive, neuromodulatory device for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. The device utilized an external electromagnetic coil to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the brain, inducing a much lower electrical field than other neuromodulation technologies. A key differentiator was its potential for rapid action, with studies suggesting mood enhancement in as little as one 20-minute session, a significant departure from antidepressant medications that can take weeks to show effects. The treatment involved a patient lying down with their head positioned inside a 15-inch diameter coil for a 20-minute session, during which they would feel no physical sensation.

Throughout its operation, Tal Medical secured significant funding to support its clinical trials. It raised a total of $14.7 million over three rounds, including a $14 million Series B round in April 2015 led by PureTech Health. The company also received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to conduct a multi-site clinical trial for its LFMS technology. In 2015, it launched a 120-patient dose optimization trial to assess various dosing regimens. Despite its promising technology and clinical studies, Tal Medical is now considered a deadpooled company.

Keywords: neuromodulation, medical device, major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation, clinical trials, PureTech Ventures, non-invasive treatment, psychiatric disorders, McLean Hospital