Under the Microscope: Candesant Biomedical

Why Avestria Invested in this Excessive Sweating Solution

---

In this series, we explain why we invested in our current portfolio companies. In the process, we hope to highlight the white spaces in women’s health and the life sciences — as well as the people, products, and companies working to fill those gaps. The name “Under the Microscope” refers both to our extensive due diligence process and our investment focus on healthcare and the life sciences.

You can find the original version of this post on Medium.

---

Imagine you’re in your car on the way to work. The air-conditioning is on— but, once you arrive at your desk, you realize that you’ve still sweated through your shirt. Do you try to cover up the stains? Do you try to find a change of clothes? Do you try to avoid contact with your coworkers, hoping they won’t notice? 

The 15.3 million people in the United States with hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, have to ask themselves these questions on a regular basis – and deal with the huge effect on their quality of life as a result. One study found that - to help mitigate the emotional embarrassment and physiological damage of excessively sweating - 70% of respondents have adjusted their lives to prevent or to hide their level of sweating, including carrying additional clothing, changing their clothes several times a day, and avoiding raising their arms. Those with hyperhidrosis have also demonstrated their inability or unwillingness to perform daily tasks, such as being in enclosed or crowded spaces like elevators, navigating touchscreens, shaking hands or giving hugs, or even reading books since they don’t want to soak its pages. 

Candesant Biomedical is providing an easy, effective, and non-invasive excessive sweating treatment.

Candesant is first focused on addressing underarm sweat: the location of more than half the hyperhidrosis cases in the United States. The company's FDA-cleared, IP-protected Brella™ SweatControl™ patch is placed under the arm for no more than three minutes. There, it utilizes a foundational scientific principle known as targeted alkali thermolysis: heat is generated when sodium comes in contact with water in sweat. The thermal energy created by the sodium sheet is precisely localized, microtargeting sweat glands to reduce sweat production significantly.

Unlike other hyperhidrosis treatment options, Candesant’s patch is effective, doesn’t have strong negative side effects and is noninvasive, compared to solutions like Botox injections or microwave therapy. Candesant’s approach also allows patients to save time: rather than requiring daily use or multiple appointments, which in turn might require their own preparation and recovery time, a session with Candesant's patch takes less than three minutes. The company's pivotal trial showed that participants had significantly reduced sweat production and improved quality of life - with no serious or severe adverse effects - for up to three months, if not longer than that.

Candesant also hopes to address not just those diagnosed with hyperhidrosis but also those undiagnosed but bothered by their excessive underarm sweating. With Candesant’s Brella™ SweatControl™ patch, both of these groups - and the millions of people that they represent - may no longer have to worry about sweating through their clothes, avoiding contact with others, or generally adjusting their lives. Instead, they may be able to take advantage of Candesant’s easy and effective three-minute treatment — as well as its lasting effects on their quality of life. 

---

At Avestria Ventures, we look for early-stage women’s health and female-led life science companies with products or technologies that improve healthcare quality and/or access, lower costs, induce clinical or behavioral change, are evidence based, have scalable commercialization plans, and have a sustainable competitive advantage. Know one? Contact us via our website, LinkedIn, or Twitter.