State Investment in Medical Device Manufactured in Bucks County Helps Save 2,000+ Lives 

February 25, 2025

BUCKS COUNTY − February 25, 2025 − Two thousand lives and counting have been saved by the Bashir Endovascular Catheter, developed by Temple University cardiologist Dr. Riyaz Bashir and Bucks County medical device manufacturer Thrombolex.  At a press conference yesterday, Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), who represents New Britain Township where Thrombolex is located, applauded the state investment in innovative scientific research that funded Temple’s study of the device.

“It is my honor to represent the 10th District, where companies like Thrombolex are setting up shop, creating local jobs and developing life-saving technology,” said Senator Santarsiero.  “It is easy to advocate for state investments in innovative science and technology research that is making an impact across Pennsylvania, the country and the world.”

Thrombolex creates innovative and sophisticated endovascular catheters using unique pharmaco-mechanical technologies for the treatment of arterial and thromboembolic conditions (A+VTE).

“Thrombolex is just one example of what can happen when we tap into Pennsylvania’s rich network of universities that are putting out some of the most innovative research in the country.” said DCED Deputy Secretary for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Jen Gilburg. “Supporting the innovation economy is critical to Pennsylvania’s long-term success, which is why the Shapiro Administration’s 2025-26 budget proposal includes a total of 50 million dollars for a new PA Innovation program that will help us capitalize on our strengths and support our entrepreneurs.”

“This community and this region are playing such a leadership role with regard to science and innovation,” said Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “I want to thank Governor Shapiro for prioritizing this type of innovation in his budget and Senator Santarsiero for his partnership and prioritization of this industry and space. Real dollars from investments are yielding real innovation and real, life-saving results.”

Dr. Riyaz Bashir created the BASHIR Endovascular Catheters in partnership with Thrombolex to dissolve blood clots quickly and effectively to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from arterial and venous thromboembolic (A+VTE) conditions.

Praising the commitment of Senators Santarsiero and Hughes, as well as the Shapiro administration, Dr. Bashir said, “Thanks to your advocacy and dedication to advancing medical innovation, PA continues to lead the way of transformative healthcare.  The Bashir Catheter, developed and commercialized with Thrombolex, is already making a profound impact, not just in our state, but around the nation and around the world.  Thousands of lives have been saved by this technology in patients with severe blood clots.”

“I am happy to be here,” said Irving Vaughn, a patient of Dr. Bashir who underwent the life-saving procedure as part of the state-funded study. 

Thrombolex Co-Founder Marvin Woodall and Dr. Bashir joined together to demonstrate how the catheter effectively and efficiently delivers life-saving medication to break up clots in the lungs and other organs.  A video of the process, provided by Thrombolex, is available here.

“We’ve now had about 2,000 patients and counting, who have received this treatment,” said Mr. Woodall. “Our next big step is to expand to outside the United States and around the world.”

Public sector funding for the Rescue Clinical study and Rescue II trial at Temple University totaled $5,950,000.  The National Institutes of Health provided $3,000,000 for the Rescue Clinical study that was required for FDA approval of the Bashir Catheter for the treatment of pulmonary embolism.  The Commonwealth investment of $2,950,000 includes $1,000,000 to supplement NIH funding for the Rescue Clinical study, as well as $1,200,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds secured by Senator Santarsiero in April 2022, and the $750,000 DCED funding for the Rescue II trial.

Temple University Vice President for Research Dr. Josh Gladden emphasized the collaboration and partnership, specifically funding from the Commonwealth and the National Institutes of Health, that led to the successful implementation of the treatment.  “Innovative-driven progress like we see here today doesn’t just happen. It requires commitment, investment, partnership, entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Gladden. “It requires government support and partnerships with our public sector to advance the technology through clinical trials.  This was supported by not only the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but also the NIH, a critical step in the development of any type of solution in the biomedical space.”

The full press conference can be found on Senator Santarsiero’s website. 

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Senator Santarsiero Secures Nearly $2 Million for Local Investments in Science & Technology

April 22, 2022

BUCKS COUNTY – April 22, 2022 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced nearly $2 million in state funds he has secured from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for two investments in science and medical technology to improve lives and grow our regional economy.

The awards are as follows:

  • Thrombolex, Inc.: $1,200,000
  • Bucks County Biotechnology Center: $722,500

“I’d like to thank Governor Wolf for supporting my request to dedicate RACP funds for these key investments to improve science and health outcomes,” said Sen. Santarsiero.  “These projects will help our region continue to grow as a leader in biotechnology and scientific research.”

Thrombolex, Inc., located in New Britain Borough, will use the $1,200,000 state investment to build out a warehouse facility to expand the manufacturing capabilities of the company.  Founded in 2016, Thrombolex, Inc. is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and distribution of endovascular catheters used in interventional procedures.

“When I talk time and again about the potential we have in Bucks County to create a biotechnology corridor, I am talking about companies like Thrombolex who are on the cutting edge of discovery and development with a medical device to help save the lives of individuals with blood clots,” said Sen. Santarsiero.  “This investment will help grow and expand Thrombolex’s capacity, while creating jobs right here in New Britain Borough.”

“Receiving this generous grant from the Commonwealth will enable Thrombolex to expand manufacturing so as to meet the anticipated demand for our medical device, the Bashir Endovascular Catheter,” said Marvin Woodall, Thrombolex CEO.  “This catheter platform creates a channel for immediate blood flow through a blood clot to allow for precise and targeted delivery of clot busting drugs (thrombolytics) directly to the clot. Pulmonary Embolism is the third leading cause of cardiac death.  With this funding, we can now proceed with plans to meet the demand for our life saving devices. We are most appreciative of Senator Santarsiero’s support.”

The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) is a life sciences incubator in Buckingham Township dedicated to advancing biotechnology in Bucks County and the region by maximizing synergies between nonprofit scientists and their commercial colleagues and launching new ideas and discoveries.  The $722,500 will be used to build multiuser labs and teaching facilities in a newly constructed building.

“The continued growth and development of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center is attracting new and established companies to our region, putting people to work and helping build Bucks County as a biotech corridor,” Sen. Santarsiero said of the funds for the Biotech Center.

Timothy M. Block, president and founder of the PABC, said. “Sen. Santarsiero has been a great advocate for the Center and this further vote of confidence in us is very extremely encouraging. This support will allow the PABC to further expand our state-of-the-art research facilities for entrepreneurs from our area, to keep generating lifesaving innovations and, of course, to create new jobs. It also will help us continue to teach young people about science, research and entrepreneurship. The PABC is a world-class research center and this kind of support will allow us to maintain the momentum we’ve built in recent years.”

RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. 

To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website. 

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