Under the direction of CEO Elizabeth Hoff, SOMAVAC is challenging the status quo of post-surgical care with its innovative negative pressure solutions. By improving the patient experience and reducing complications associated with seromas, SOMAVAC addresses “the most ignored known problem in mastectomy and breast reconstruction: the outdated and often distressing process of managing surgical drains, a critical aspect of recovery that has seen little innovation for over five decades.”
Elizabeth Hoff’s journey with SOMAVAC began through a LinkedIn connection with one of the company’s founders. Initially joining the board to gather data, drive commercial adoption, and identify strategics, she quickly recognized the transformative potential of SOMAVAC’s technology. “I became so engaged with the board that I joined as CEO,” Hoff explained, crediting her partnership with an excellent COO, Phil Ryan, in propelling the company forward.
Her excitement stems from addressing a long-standing gap in breast cancer recovery care. “Breast cancer has seen innovation in diagnostics and treatment, but there’s been no progress in the post-surgical recovery experience,” Hoff noted. “We are the first and only company aggressively focusing on improving patient care after mastectomy and breast reconstruction—and we intend to transform that entire experience while improving outcomes regarding reoperation and infection rates.”
Today’s standard of care for post-mastectomy recovery relies on Jackson-Pratt (JP) bulbs, a technology that has remained largely unchanged since the 1970s. These passive drainage systems require patients to handle their own bodily fluids, which Hoff describes as “not only traumatic for the patient and their caregiver but provides a nidus for infection.” The process leaves many patients unable to resume daily activities, compounding the physical and emotional toll of surgery.
“The drains are the worst part of recovery,” Hoff said, echoing sentiments frequently shared by patients. “Patients wear them for two to four weeks, using safety pins to secure tubes and disconnecting them to measure and discard fluids. It’s a terrible experience.”
Complications from these outdated systems are common, including infections and reoperations. One patient Hoff mentioned had endured 16 surgical procedures, and literature confirms one in five women will need a reoperation, highlighting the urgent need for improvement. “Our mission is to change this experience,” Hoff explained. “By transforming drainage into a more efficient process, we aim to enhance patient mobility, reduce complications, and improve outcomes, all while providing a better post-operative experience for the patient.”
SOMAVAC’s negative pressure solution modernizes surgical fluid management by introducing an active suction device in the deep space that eliminates the need for manual handling. Unlike JP bulbs, the SOMAVAC system allows patients to discreetly collect and measure fluids while remaining mobile.
“We provide an elegant solution that replaces outdated methods,” Hoff said. “Patients wear a belt with a closed drainage system, allowing them to return to their daily activities right away.”
The device also delivers significant clinical benefits. “Because we remove the surgical fluids much more expeditiously than the standard of care, we can remove the surgical drains 30% sooner,” Hoff shared. For patients, this translates to an improved, faster recovery experience and fewer complications, such as infections and reoperations. Surgeons, too, benefit from more predictable outcomes and improved patient satisfaction, making SOMAVAC a game-changer in post-operative care.
Beyond the clinical data, the impact on patients’ lives is immediate and tangible. “We hear directly from patients who have used SOMAVAC after going through multiple procedures with traditional JP bulbs,” Hoff shared. “They call us and thank us because they’ve experienced the difference firsthand. Many breast cancer patients, especially younger women, feel well enough after surgery to take their kids to school or go out to dinner, but those outdated drains keep them stuck at home. Our device allows them to regain their mobility and return to activity and exercise, an important part of the recovery process.”
SOMAVAC has made significant strides in advancing its technology and expanding its reach. The company achieved FDA clearance and has sold 1,200 units in its initial pilot market in the Memphis, Tennessee area. In December of 2024, SOMAVAC closed an oversubscribed convertible note, enabling it to launch new clinical pilots in five cities across the United States.
“Our goal is to aggressively gather clinical and economic data outside the Memphis area, with endpoints that focus on fluid removal rates and quicker drain removal,” Hoff said. “We’re targeting 90-day results, ensuring rapid validation of our solution’s effectiveness.”
SOMAVAC recently issued its fourth patent, solidifying its position as an innovation leader in negative pressure solutions. Hoff emphasized that the company is actively engaging with strategic partners and planning for a Series A funding round in spring 2025. “We’re fortunate to have strong interest from multiple strategics,” she said. “This technology touches general surgery, breast cancer recovery, and trauma care, giving us broad market appeal.”
As of 2024, LSI’s Global Surgical Procedure Volumes database estimates that over 2.6 million breast cancer surgeries were performed worldwide. This includes breast reconstruction surgeries, breast-conserving surgeries, and mastectomies. Over the next five years, LSI projects that these procedures will increase at a CAGR of 4.2%, reaching 3.2 million surgical procedures by 2029.
SOMAVAC’s product would fit into the wider global market for fluid management devices, which, according to LSI’s Market Analysis and Projections database, was valued at $788M in 2024. LSI estimates that this market is increasing at a rate far in excess of the surgical procedures, including breast surgery, that utilize these devices. By 2029, the worldwide fluid management devices market will cross the billion-dollar threshold, reaching an estimated $1.1B in product sales.
Hoff has been selected to present at LSI USA ‘25 next March 17-21 in front of hundreds of global medical technology companies. Join us in welcoming Hoff to the event in Dana Point, CA, where she will share the latest updates on SOMAVAC’s technology and development.
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