Company Description
Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE) is a bioelectric medicine company in the surgical and medical instrument manufacturing industry. According to company disclosures, Pulse Biosciences focuses on health innovation through its proprietary nPulse™ technology, which delivers nanosecond pulses of electrical energy to non-thermally clear targeted cells while sparing adjacent noncellular tissue. This energy modality is also described as Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation™ (nanosecond PFA or nsPFA™) and is being developed for multiple clinical applications where improved tissue-selective ablation may benefit patients and healthcare providers.
Core technology and medical focus
The company states that its nPulse technology delivers nanosecond-duration electrical pulses intended to clear cellular tissue without thermal damage to surrounding noncellular structures. This nonthermal mechanism is highlighted in company materials as a way to limit scarring, fibrosis and damage to critical surrounding structures. Pulse Biosciences is actively pursuing development of this technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and in a select group of other markets where soft tissue ablation is central to care.
In its public communications, the company describes several platform implementations of nsPFA energy, including:
- nPulse Cardiac Surgical System – a bipolar surgical device engineered to create continuous, full-thickness ablation lines during concomitant cardiac procedures for atrial fibrillation. Company reports describe a first-in-human feasibility study and an FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for the NANOCLAMP AF study, a single-arm, multicenter trial evaluating safety and effectiveness in surgical AF ablation.
- nPulse Cardiac Catheter Ablation System – a catheter-based system designed for endocardial AF ablation. Company disclosures reference a first-in-human feasibility study in Europe and an FDA IDE approval for the NANOPULSE-AF study for recurrent, drug‑resistant symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
- nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System – a percutaneous needle electrode used with the company’s nPulse Console. The system has U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for ablation of soft tissue in percutaneous and intraoperative surgical procedures and is described as designed for non‑cardiac applications, including benign thyroid nodules and other soft tissue indications.
Clinical programs and applications
Pulse Biosciences reports multiple clinical and research programs built around nsPFA:
- Atrial fibrillation – surgical ablation: The NANOCLAMP AF study is described as a single-arm, prospective multicenter study of the nPulse Cardiac Surgical System for AF in concomitant surgical procedures. Company updates note enrollment of patients in Europe and the United States, with feasibility data including electroanatomical mapping that showed durable pulmonary vein isolation and posterior box isolation in an initial cohort.
- Atrial fibrillation – catheter ablation: The NANOPULSE-AF study is described as a single-arm, multicenter, prospective IDE trial to demonstrate safety and effectiveness of the nPulse Cardiac Catheter System for recurrent, drug‑resistant symptomatic paroxysmal AF. Company communications reference treatment of patients in a European feasibility study using a 360° nsPFA catheter and planned enrollment across sites in and outside the United States.
- Benign thyroid nodules and thyroid tumors: The company reports a multi-center PRECISE‑BTN clinical study using the nPulse Vybrance percutaneous electrode system for benign thyroid nodules, as well as first‑in‑human data published for benign thyroid nodule treatment with its CellFX nsPFA Percutaneous Electrode System. Pulse Biosciences also discloses a research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to examine use of the nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and preclinical work in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
- Soft tissue ablation: Beyond cardiac and thyroid indications, the company describes its technology as applicable to surgical soft tissue ablation in percutaneous and intraoperative procedures, using its FDA‑cleared Vybrance system for non‑cardiac soft tissue applications.
Business model and technology platform
Based on its public filings and news releases, Pulse Biosciences centers its business around a proprietary technology platform that combines nsPFA energy generation with application‑specific delivery systems such as surgical clamps, catheters and percutaneous electrodes. The company reports early commercial activity through a limited market release of the nPulse Vybrance percutaneous electrode system, with revenue from capital equipment and disposable components. Its SEC filings also describe substantial research and development spending related to clinical trials, regulatory submissions and product development for its cardiac and soft tissue programs.
The company’s disclosures emphasize that nPulse technology is designed to deliver nanosecond pulsed‑field energy at lower total energy levels than microsecond‑based pulsed field ablation systems, with the stated potential to reduce collateral injury to surrounding structures. The systems are described as intended to create contiguous, durable lesions for pulmonary vein isolation and other ablation patterns while simplifying workflow in electrophysiology and surgical settings.
Regulatory and clinical development pathway
Pulse Biosciences’ SEC filings and press releases outline a staged regulatory and clinical pathway. For cardiac surgery, the nsPFA Cardiac Surgical System received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and an IDE for NANOCLAMP AF, with the study designed to enroll patients at multiple sites, including centers outside the United States. For catheter‑based AF ablation, the company reports FDA IDE approval for the NANOPULSE‑AF study and ongoing European feasibility work. For percutaneous soft tissue ablation, the Vybrance system has FDA 510(k) clearance for soft tissue ablation and is being evaluated in benign thyroid nodule studies and research collaborations for thyroid cancers.
Company communications also reference participation in major medical and investor conferences, late‑breaking data presentations at cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery meetings, and publication of first‑in‑human data in peer‑reviewed journals for thyroid applications. These activities, as described by the company, support ongoing clinical validation and awareness of nsPFA‑based devices among physicians, researchers and investors.
Corporate and capital markets context
Pulse Biosciences is incorporated in Delaware and files reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Commission File Number 001‑37744. The company’s common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol PLSE. SEC filings such as Form 8‑K and the definitive proxy statement describe corporate governance matters, stockholder meetings, equity incentive plans and non‑GAAP financial measures used by management to evaluate operations. The company reports that it uses non‑GAAP metrics that adjust for items such as stock‑based compensation, depreciation and amortization, restructuring, severance and legal settlements when discussing operating performance.
According to its financial disclosures, Pulse Biosciences generates revenue from product sales related to its nPulse capital equipment and Vybrance disposables while incurring significant research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses associated with advancing nsPFA device clinical trials and commercialization efforts. The company also reports maintaining cash and cash equivalents to fund ongoing operations and clinical programs.
Intellectual property and branding
The company identifies Pulse Biosciences, nPulse, Vybrance, CellFX, Nano‑Pulse Stimulation, NPS, nsPFA, CellFX nsPFA and related stylized logos as trademarks and/or registered trademarks in the United States and other countries. These marks are used to distinguish its nsPFA technology platform, devices and systems in cardiac, thyroid and broader soft tissue ablation markets as described in its public communications.