Controlled approximation
Investigating separate stitch placement and assessment before final suture tightening.
SCIENCE FOR LIFE
Mitral repair.
With the future
in mind.
We are developing BRELLO, a suture-based transcatheter system for mitral valve repair. Clinical insight and medical engineering guide every step.
Technology in development. Preclinical research programme.
BRELLOSUTURE-BASED MITRAL REPAIR
Inspired by surgical precision.
Designed for a transcatheter approach.
A focused structural heart company
VERONA, ITALYRESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTCALL 4 IDEAS FVG · AWARDED 202501 / THE CLINICAL CHALLENGE
Every valve.
A long-term perspective.
Mitral regurgitation calls for treatment decisions that consider the patient’s anatomy, clinical condition and future care.
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is part of contemporary mitral valve care for selected patients. Our research explores a different way to bring the valve leaflets together: a catheter-delivered suture inspired by the surgical Alfieri technique.
Clinical context: 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines02 / OUR TECHNOLOGY
Meet BRELLO.
A suture-based approach to transcatheter mitral repair.
Company concept illustration. Development configuration.BRELLO is being designed to reproduce the principle of surgical edge-to-edge repair through a percutaneous system. The concept uses separate leaflet stitches and controlled suture approximation.
The catheter concept captures a leaflet and places a suture. The process is repeated on the opposing leaflet.
DESIGN PRIORITIES
These are design objectives under investigation. Clinical performance has not been established.
Limited implanted material
A suture-based concept intended to limit the material remaining on the valve.
Future treatment options
Exploring how the repair could support subsequent interventions when needed.
03 / RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Progress through
evidence.
Our programme brings clinical expertise into device development, with defined questions for each stage of validation.
CURRENT FOCUS: PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Prototype development
Refining catheter mechanics, leaflet capture and suture delivery through successive prototype configurations.
Preclinical feasibility
The programme plans acute and chronic preclinical evaluation of the system and repair concept.
Engineering verification
The development plan includes design verification and a design freeze before clinical translation.
Clinical translation
First-in-human investigation is a future stage, subject to supporting evidence and regulatory and ethics approvals.
04 / COMPANY MILESTONES
Building the foundations.
An invention, a dedicated development team and recognition from the life sciences innovation ecosystem.
2020
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The invention takes shape
The suturing catheter patent family traces its priority to 2 April 2020.
EPO publication2025
REGIONAL INNOVATION AWARD
Call 4 Ideas FVG
A €5,000 prize assigned to 4 Cardiovascular in the second Call 4 Ideas FVG. Official ranking dated 22 January 2025.
Official ranking2025
EUROPEAN PATENT
EP4125622B1
The EPO publishes the mention of grant on 17 September 2025. The listed proprietor is 4 Cardiovascular S.r.l.
Grant publication2026
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Preclinical development
The June 2026 company plan focuses on prototype engineering and preclinical feasibility, with verification ahead of clinical investigation.
Research prioritiesThe innovation prize recognises the project. It does not constitute clinical validation or a regulatory approval.
05 / OUR PEOPLE
Clinical purpose.
Engineering discipline.
4Cardiovascular is an Italian innovative startup dedicated to mitral valve technology. The founding team combines interventional cardiology with medical device development and life sciences investment.
CLINICAL FOUNDER
Francesco Dallavalle
Interventional cardiologist with more than 25 years of experience. Originator of the clinical concept.
CEO & CO-FOUNDER
Claudio Zuccolotto
Life sciences investor and business leader with experience in international expansion and M&A.
CTO & CO-FOUNDER
Ludwig Compagnoni
More than 20 years in medical device R&D, including experience at Invatec and Medtronic.
CSO & CO-FOUNDER
Gennaro Broya de Lucia
Medtech entrepreneur and investor focused on interventional cardiology and structural heart technologies.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Expertise in cardiac surgery and structural heart intervention.
Ottavio AlfieriMarco VolaGuido GelpiGiuseppe TarantiniHorst Sievert
06 / FOR INVESTORS & PARTNERS
Support the next
stage of research.
We welcome conversations with investors and development partners who understand the pathway from a medical device concept to clinical evidence.
Start an investor conversationTHE DEVELOPMENT CASE
A focused technology thesis
Suture-based mitral repair inspired by an established surgical principle, with an international patent family.
Milestones that matter
Prototype refinement, preclinical feasibility and engineering verification form the next development programme.
Materials for informed diligence
Contact the team for the executive presentation, development plan and a discussion of intellectual property and funding needs.
A CLOSER LOOK
Questions, answered.
What is BRELLO?
BRELLO is a suture-based transcatheter mitral repair system under development by 4Cardiovascular. Its concept takes inspiration from the surgical Alfieri edge-to-edge technique.
Is BRELLO available for clinical use?
BRELLO is in development. The company materials describe a preclinical programme and a future clinical pathway. The system is not presented here as a commercially available or clinically validated treatment.
Are the design advantages clinically established?
No. Control of suture approximation, limited implanted material and preservation of future treatment options are design objectives. Their safety and performance require further verification and appropriate studies.
How can investors and research partners engage?
Email connect@4cardiovascular.com to request company materials or arrange a conversation about the development programme. Investment terms and technical diligence materials are discussed directly with the team.
LET’S CONNECT
The next step starts
with a conversation.
connect@4cardiovascular.com Verona, Italy
Sources & disclosures
Sources reviewed: 8 October 2026.
This website presents 4Cardiovascular’s research programme. Design objectives are distinguished from clinical results and administrative recognition.
Technology and company information
BRELLO, team and development programme content derives from the company’s June 2026 executive presentation and supplied animation. Device images and photographs are original company assets. The company profile on the FVG Cluster portal describes the transcatheter Alfieri stitch concept.
BRELLO profile on the Cluster Scienze della Vita FVG portal
Clinical context
The 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines provide context for mitral treatment options and the role of TEER in selected patients. Evidence for existing TEER devices does not establish BRELLO’s safety or efficacy.
2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease
Call 4 Ideas FVG 2025
The official ranking dated 22 January 2025, Annex A to protocol conc/001/A.2/2025, lists 4 CARDIOVASCULAR SRL in ninth place with a score of 71.50 and a €5,000 prize. This establishes the assignment of the prize, not its payment. Eligibility to apply for a subsequent call is not a grant award.
Official Call 4 Ideas page and rankings
Official ZIP archive containing the January 2025 ranking
Intellectual property
EPO publication EP4125622B1 lists 4 CARDIOVASCULAR S.R.L. as proprietor, Italian priority dated 2 April 2020 and publication of the mention of grant on 17 September 2025. The website does not describe the PCT procedure as a granted patent or infer national validations from designated states.
EP4125622B1, official EPO publication
Programme status
The preclinical stage and future activities reflect the June 2026 company plan. Future dates and durations are planning objectives. This content does not claim marketing authorisation or clinical results for BRELLO.
For updated project information and due diligence materials: connect@4cardiovascular.com.
