Funding Secured: $11 Million Investment for Advancement in Scalp Cooling Technology, Benefiting Chemotherapy Patients
Medical device company Cooler Heads has announced a successful $11 million Series A funding round, led by Mutual Capital Partners. The investment will be primarily used to increase manufacturing capacity, expand the commercial team, and develop the next generation of the Amma Portable Scalp Cooling System.
The Amma system is the only FDA-cleared portable scalp cooling device, designed to reduce blood flow to hair follicles and protect them from the effects of chemotherapy drugs. This innovative technology helps chemotherapy patients preserve their hair and maintain privacy during treatment.
The funding follows a significant push in reimbursement for scalp cooling, with the American Medical Association upgrading scalp cooling CPT codes to Category I starting January 2026. This decision, along with scalp cooling being an emerging standard of care, creates powerful momentum for Cooler Heads.
The Amma system eliminates the need for dry ice or frequent cap changes, making scalp cooling therapy low friction for infusion centers. This not only improves care for patients but also streamlines the process for healthcare providers.
Liz Todia Zambory, who led the Mutual Capital Partners team's investment, is joining the board of Cooler Heads. Zambory shares her personal experience of how scalp cooling helped her keep a part of herself intact during treatment, giving her strength.
Jason Pesterfield, the CEO of Elucent Medical, has also joined as an independent director. Pesterfield's expertise in the medical device industry is expected to contribute significantly to Cooler Heads' growth and success.
Kate Dilligan, CEO of Cooler Heads and a breast cancer survivor, founded the company after experiencing the benefits of scalp cooling during her own treatment. Dilligan's personal journey and dedication to the cause have been instrumental in driving Cooler Heads forward.
One patient, Jennifer George, used the Amma system during 16 cycles of chemotherapy while being treated for early stage breast cancer in 2024. George's experience underscores the importance of the Amma system in providing comfort and dignity to patients undergoing chemotherapy.
The investment in Cooler Heads is reflective of confidence in the leadership team's ability to make scalp cooling available to patients receiving chemotherapy at infusion centers. With the growing demand for the Amma system, Cooler Heads is poised to scale both production and commercial operations while investing in product innovation to ensure broader availability and adoption of the Amma system.
[1] American Medical Association Upgrades Scalp Cooling CPT Codes to Category I, Starting January 2026. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/ama-councils/cpt-editorial-panel/cpt-newsroom/ama-upgrades-scalp-cooling-cpt-codes-category-i-starting-january-2026
[2] Scalp Cooling Becomes an Emerging Standard of Care. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.coolerheads.com/blog/scalp-cooling-becomes-an-emerging-standard-of-care
[3] Cooler Heads Raises $11 Million in Series A Funding to Expand Production and Commercial Operations. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230310005007/en/Cooler-Heads-Raises-11-Million-in-Series-A-Funding-to-Expand-Production-and-Commercial-Operations
- The American Medical Association has upgraded scalp cooling CPT codes to Category I starting January 2026, marking scalp cooling as an emerging standard of care.
- The successful $11 million Series A funding round secured by Cooler Heads will be utilized to develop the next generation of the Amma Portable Scalp Cooling System, which is the only FDA-cleared portable device designed to protect hair follicles during chemotherapy.
- With the growing demand for the Amma system, Cooler Heads is poised to scale both production and commercial operations while investing in product innovation to ensure broader availability and adoption of the technology.
- While receiving 16 cycles of chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer in 2024, patient Jennifer George used the Amma system, underscoring its importance in providing comfort and dignity to chemotherapy patients.
