Cedars Health, Inc. provides minimally invasive procedures using their biocompatible implant, which mechanically compresses the prostate to dilate the urethral channel. The Cedars Health team includes Raphael Chung (BS ’19, MEng ’20) and Kevin Park (BS ’20, MEng ’20). Raphael Chung answered our questions for this blog.

Website: cedarshealth.weebly.com

Tell us your startup story – What is the problem you’re solving?

More than half of men over 50 experience urinary problems and reduced quality of life due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement. This translates to 40 million BPH patients in the US, 500 million patients worldwide, and a $34 billion global BPH treatment market. BPH medications need to be taken daily for years and have side effects while surgeries can have severe complications, forcing most patients to live with medications and side effects.

What is your solution to that problem?

We are developing an implantable device that provides a rapid and permanent relief of BPH symptoms without complications.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?

Being in charge and taking care of every aspect of running a startup is difficult. It is important to find experts who can provide help or advice in areas you are not familiar with. Also, projects can be delayed easily, especially as more people get involved. It helps to plan and start ahead of time and to be adaptable to keep things moving.

What do you love about entrepreneurship?

It can be rewarding to identify a need, develop a solution, and show that the solution successfully addresses the need.

What advice would you give to someone considering creating a startup or entering an entrepreneurship competition?

The problem you are solving, the solution you are developing, and the financial values should be explained clearly and concisely so that people can understand them easily.

What activities, student groups, professors, or classes had the biggest impact on you during your time at WashU?

The MEng in Biomedical Innovation program and the professors in the Department of Biomedical Engineering provided us with opportunities to engage with healthcare workers, identify problems, and brainstorm solutions. Although the program is no longer available, there are still great courses such as the Hatchery, Biotech Industry Innovators, and From Concept to Market: The Business of Engineering.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

We would like to thank the Skandalaris Center, BioGenerator, and Sling Health for all the resources and opportunities that have helped us develop our product and business.

The winner of the Spring 2022 GIA will be announced at The Washington University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards Presented by the Skandalaris Center on April 14. All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony to see which teams will win non-dilutive funding for their venture.