Airbus plane maker's unusual tie-up with French heart surgeon leads to potential flotation of Carmat.

France-based medical technology company Carmat is reportedly preparing for its flotation in Paris later this month after an unusual alliance between a heart surgeon and an aircraft maker.

News provider Informilo said Carmat would raise €15m ($18m) on the Alternext market of NYSE-Euronext Paris this month.

The company has previously gained €33m in grants-in-aid and loans from French development agency Oseo and launched in 2008 with €7m from the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company (EADS), which makes the Airbus passenger jet; French investment bank and venture fund Truffle Capital; and the Fondation Alain Carpentier. Alain Carpentier is a French heart surgeon who developed an artificial heart using EADS research and materials.

 

James Mawson

James Mawson is founder and chief executive of Global Venturing.