# Brian Fahey

> Brian Fahey is a serial medtech entrepreneur who co-founded Adona Medical, a clinical-stage company developing an adjustable interatrial shunt with integrated bi-atrial pressure sensors for heart failure management. A Duke-trained biomedical engineer and Stanford Biodesign alumnus, Fahey previously co-founded Niveus Medical, which delivered over 10,000 ICU rehabilitation treatments before being acquired by Stryker in 2017. At Adona, he guided the company through $95.5M in total funding including a $33.5M Series C in 2024, and oversaw the initiation of first-in-human clinical trials before stepping down as CEO in December 2025.

- **Role:** Co-Founder at Adona Medical (formerly President and CEO)
- **Organizations:** Adona Medical, Niveus Medical, Shifamed, Fogarty Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Arrinex
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Fellowship / Program Alumnus, Stanford Biodesign Innovation Program
- **Known for:** Co-founded Niveus Medical (2008), acquired by Stryker (2017) after delivering 10,000+ patient treatments, Grew Adona Medical from a $2.5M seed-stage startup to $95.5M in total funding across four rounds, Led Adona Medical to initiation and completion of first-in-human clinical trial for adjustable interatrial shunt

## Career timeline

- **2007** — Completed Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University; pivoted from academic career path
- **2008** — Co-founded Niveus Medical, developing ICU rehabilitation solutions
- **2008-2017** — Led Niveus Medical as CEO; raised four rounds of capital; delivered 10,000+ patient treatments across 20 U.S. hospitals
- **2017** — Niveus Medical acquired by Stryker
- **2017-2019** — Worked at Johnson & Johnson Innovation (oncology drug-device products), then led strategy at Arrinex (neuromodulation/ENT), then served as executive-in-residence at Shifamed
- **2019** — Co-founded Adona Medical in December as a Shifamed portfolio company; raised $2.5M seed
- **2022** — Adona Medical raised $22M Series A and $37.5M Series B (led by Cormorant Asset Management and TCP); Adona became first medtech startup in Fogarty Innovation's incubation program
- **2023** — Adona Medical presented next-generation heart failure platform at CSI Frankfurt 2023
- **2024** — Adona Medical raised $33.5M Series C; initiated and completed enrollment in first-in-human clinical trial
- **2025** — Stepped down as CEO of Adona Medical in December 2025 after guiding company through $95.5M in total funding

## Achievements

- Co-founded Niveus Medical (2008), acquired by Stryker (2017) after delivering 10,000+ patient treatments
- Grew Adona Medical from a $2.5M seed-stage startup to $95.5M in total funding across four rounds
- Led Adona Medical to initiation and completion of first-in-human clinical trial for adjustable interatrial shunt
- First medtech startup to join Fogarty Innovation's incubation program
- Stanford Biodesign Innovation Program alumnus
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University with focus on novel ultrasound technologies
- Guided Adona Medical's development of an industry-first adjustable shunt with integrated bi-atrial pressure monitoring

## Latest updates

- **2025-12** — Stepped down as CEO of Adona Medical, reflecting on building the company from scratch and expressing gratitude for being part of the team.
- **2024-07** — Adona Medical closed $33.5M Series C financing led by Cormorant Asset Management and TCP Health Ventures.
- **2024** — Adona Medical completed enrollment in first-in-human trial for its novel adjustable interatrial shunt for heart failure patients.

## Links

- Website: https://adonamed.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-fahey-7251a34
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AdonaMedical

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/brian-fahey
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-14