ElectroWire establishes operations in Lexington County

Innovative cardiac surgery device to be manufactured in the heart of South Carolina

A cutting-edge medical device startup is set to revolutionize catheter-based, electrosurgical access to the heart with the establishment of its manufacturing operations in Lexington County, S.C. ElectroWire, founded by local cardiologist Dr. Robert Leonardi, will manufacture an innovative electrosurgical system aimed at improving the safety, precision and efficiency of catheter-based cardiac surgery.

ElectroWire’s flagship products will facilitate transseptal puncture, a critical step in many catheter-based cardiac surgeries, such as atrial fibrillation ablation and Watchman^TM procedures.  Transseptal puncture is performed more than 400,000 times annually in the United States and more than 1 million times globally. This purpose-built system is expected to be safer, more precise, more efficient and more cost effective than currently available alternatives.

Leonardi, struck by the high costs and limited availability of the existing transseptal puncture technology, developed this system to make the procedure more accessible and cost-effective for hospitals. ElectroWire’s transseptal puncture system came about after many rounds of trials at Leonardi’s home, starting with an electrosurgical generator on the family ping pong table as a temporary lab facility.

According to Dr. Leonardi, “ElectroWire was founded to bring value to patients through better outcomes and shorter procedures, to physicians through improved efficiency, and to hospitals through reduced cost.”

ElectroWire, currently employing three staff members including Leonardi, will begin production in Lexington County around the end of Q1 2025, with plans to ultimately manufacture several hundred thousand devices annually. The company’s presence reinforces Lexington County’s appeal as a premier location for innovative companies due to its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce and high quality of life.

Leonardi, who resides and practices in Lexington County, named the county’s attractive business climate and supportive community as key factors for establishing operations. “Lexington County is a great place to live and work, which made it an ideal location to start this venture,” he stated.

“We are proud to welcome ElectroWire to Lexington County, where innovation and opportunity thrive. The establishment of their operations here reflects the strong support we offer to cutting-edge industries and the excellent quality of life that makes Lexington a great place to do business,” said Lexington County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg (District 7). “We look forward to the positive economic impact this venture will bring to our community.”

ElectroWire’s local economic impact extends beyond Lexington, with material sourced from Zeus in neighboring Orangeburg County. By establishing operations in the Central South Carolina region, ElectroWire joins a host of companies in the biotech and medical space. “Central South Carolina is home to some of our state’s leading partners in research, innovation and medical manufacturing,” said Jason Giulietti, CEO of the Central SC Alliance. “We are thrilled to have ElectroWire in this growing ecosystem and congratulate them on this milestone.” 

ElectroWire aims to set a new standard for electrosurgical puncture procedures, offering an affordable, high-quality alternative to existing products, promising safer and faster outcomes for cardiovascular patients and improved bottom lines for hospitals. For more information, visit https://electrowiremedical.com/.