South African medical device startup Impulse Biomedical enters US market through Maryland soft landing programme

The company, which makes a reloadable epinephrine auto-injector and a low-cost asthma inhaler, will use the programme to establish operations and navigate US regulatory requirements

Impulse Biomedical, a South African medical device company founded by engineers Giancarlo Beukes and Gokul Nair, has been accepted into the Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Programme, a US government-backed initiative that helps international companies establish a presence in the United States. The programme, run by the Maryland Department of Commerce, provides participating companies with access to physical facilities, capital connections and industry-specific advisors.

Impulse Biomedical develops two products focused on emergency medical care. The first is the ZiBiPen, which the company describes as the world's first reloadable epinephrine auto-injector, a device used to treat severe allergic reactions. Unlike single-use auto-injectors that are discarded after one dose, the ZiBiPen is designed to be reloaded and reused. The second product is the Easy Squeezy, an asthma inhaler designed to be lower in cost and simpler to operate than existing alternatives. Both products address conditions where access to affordable treatment devices remains a barrier in many markets.

The company raised an undisclosed amount of funding from E Squared Investments and ANZA Capital in May 2025 to support commercialisation, regulatory approvals and international expansion. The acceptance into the Maryland programme represents the international expansion component of that plan, giving Impulse Biomedical a structured entry point into the US market, where regulatory requirements for medical devices are among the most complex globally.

"We are truly honoured to be part of the programme as establishing our US presence through the Maryland Global Gateway programme is a pivotal milestone for Impulse Biomedical," said Beukes. "The strategic support from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the specialised expertise at The LaunchPort will be key in smoothing our transition into the US market, ensuring we are well positioned for long-term success and impact."