Cooler Heads Raises $11M Series A to Expand FDA-Cleared Scalp Cooling System for Chemotherapy Patients
核心洞察
Cooler Heads (搜索) secured an oversubscribed $11M Series A funding round led by Mutual Capital Partners (搜索) to expand manufacturing and rollout of Amma (搜索)™, the only FDA-cleared portable scalp cooling system.
The Amma (搜索)™ system prevents chemotherapy-induced hair loss by cooling the scalp to reduce blood flow to hair follicles, offering a continuous cooling alternative that eliminates the need for dry ice or frequent cap changes.
Hair loss is so emotionally devastating that 8% of patients eligible for chemotherapy refuse treatment, according to company founder and breast cancer survivor Kate Dilligan.
Cooler Heads (搜索), a San Diego-based medical device company, has closed an oversubscribed $11M Series A funding round to expand manufacturing and rollout of Amma (搜索)™, the only FDA-cleared Portable Scalp Cooling System. The device addresses a significant unmet need in cancer care by helping chemotherapy patients preserve their hair and maintain their privacy during treatment.
Addressing Treatment Refusal Due to Hair Loss
The emotional impact of chemotherapy-induced hair loss is so severe that 8% of patients eligible for chemotherapy refuse treatment, according to Kate Dilligan, breast cancer survivor, founder, and CEO of Cooler Heads (搜索). "Hair loss is so emotionally devastating that 8% of patients eligible for chemotherapy refuse treatment," Dilligan said. "Amma (搜索)™ is a user-friendly platform that helps infusion centers seamlessly add scalp cooling to their workflows."
Technology and Mechanism of Action
The Amma (搜索)™ system works by cooling the scalp before, during, and after chemotherapy to reduce blood flow to hair follicles, shielding them from chemotherapy drugs and preventing hair loss. Unlike traditional scalp cooling methods, Amma™ offers a continuous cooling system that eliminates the need for dry ice or frequent cap changes, making it a more accessible alternative for both patients and healthcare providers.
Regulatory and Reimbursement Momentum
The timing of the funding coincides with significant regulatory developments that support broader adoption of scalp cooling technology. The American Medical Association's decision to elevate scalp cooling reimbursement codes to Category I starting in January 2026 creates powerful momentum for the company, reinforcing scalp cooling as an emerging standard of care.
Investment and Leadership
The Series A financing was led by Mutual Capital Partners (搜索), a Cleveland healthtech-focused venture capital fund, with participation from SHD Partners (搜索), Crescent Ridge VC, Cal Innovation Fund, NuFund, Robin Hood Ventures, Golden Seeds, HIP VC, and an unnamed strategic investor. The funds will be used to increase manufacturing capacity, expand the commercial team, and develop the next generation of the product.
"Our investment in Cooler Heads (搜索) reflects our confidence in the ability of this leadership team to make scalp cooling available wherever patients are getting chemotherapy. Cooler Heads is not only improving care for patients, but for the first time making this therapy low friction for infusion centers," said Liz Todia Zambory, who led the Mutual Capital Partners (搜索) investment team.
The funding round also brought new board members, with Mike Schotzinger of SHD Partners (搜索) and Jason Pesterfield, CEO of Elucent Medical, joining as directors.
Patient Impact
The clinical and emotional benefits of the technology are evident in patient testimonials. Jennifer George, who used Amma (搜索) during 16 cycles of chemotherapy while being treated for early stage breast cancer in 2024, described the profound impact: "In a process where so much is stripped away, scalp cooling helped me keep a part of myself intact, and that gave me strength."
Investors view Amma (搜索)™ as a game-changer in cancer care with the potential to improve quality of life for thousands of patients by addressing one of the most psychologically challenging aspects of chemotherapy treatment.