Binghamton University spinoff, Sonostics, opens Camillus office

CAMILLUS — Sonostics Inc., a Binghamton University startup firm and spinoff, on March 5 opened a Syracuse–area office at 5016 W. Genesee St. in Camillus.

The firm describes itself as an “emerging health and wellness company.”

Sonostics, which also has an office at 204 Washington St. in Endicott, has developed a product it calls the HeartPartner. 

The opening of the Camillus office is part of an “aggressive,” three-year plan that will include bringing 135 new jobs to the Central New York region, Kyle Washington, executive VP of Sonostics, said in his remarks during the company’s formal-opening ceremony.

“This is our first satellite office … In the next 60 days to 90 days, we’ll be opening an office in Albany, followed by Rochester, and by the end of the year, Buffalo,” said Washington.

The 135 new jobs will be part of the firm’s advanced manufacturing operations for the HeartPartner product. 

“Right now, our manufacturing is being done in Shanghai [in China],” Washington said in speaking with reporters after the ceremony.

Sonostics is working with Empire State Development and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office to secure a location for its manufacturing operations. 

“I’ve looked at a couple locations. I know that we have not selected a location,” Washington told reporters.

He also noted that New York State has an “unprecedented amount of incentives available for companies like ours.”

The company currently has eight employees, Washington told reporters, including a clinical director in the Camillus satellite office, and it hopes to hire three additional employees in the Camillus office.

Kenneth McLeod, a researcher and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, launched Sonostics, Inc. in 2013. He is the firm’s president and CEO, according to its website.

McLeod is also the entrepreneur-in-residence at Binghamton University and founder of the school’s bioengineering program, Washington said in his remarks during the formal-opening ceremony.

About the HeartPartner

Sonostics says it “focuses on the non-invasive, non-pharmacologic treatment of secondary heart failure, which results in the pooling of fluids in the lower body and reduced venous return to the heart.” McLeod had conducted “extensive” research and 10 years of clinical studies that resulted in the creation of the HeartPartner.

The company’s website describes the purpose of the HeartPartner, saying it “exercises your secondary heart muscles — the soleus muscles in your lower legs — to improve conditions caused by poor circulation.” 

Sonostics’ Camillus office can provide screenings and information about people’s circulatory health, according to Washington.

“You just come in. It’s a cognitive assessment. We’re going to do three blood-pressure readings and give you some data that will help you understand your circulation better and also give you some data to talk to your primary-care physician about,” Washington told reporters.

Acting as the “pacemaker for your secondary hearts,” the HeartPartner’s “targeted vibration technology works to reduce lower-limb fluid pooling that can cause symptoms such as chronic fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive dysfunction, as well as swelling of the legs and feet and varicose veins,” according to the company’s website.

The HeartPartner costs $595, and Sonostics tells patients that insurance doesn’t cover that cost, Washington said. It’s available for purchase at the company’s website, along with locations of New York Skin & Vein Centers, he added. 

CAMILLUS — Sonostics Inc., a Binghamton University startup firm and spinoff, on March 5 opened a Syracuse–area office at 5016 W. Genesee St. in Camillus.

The firm describes itself as an “emerging health and wellness company.”

Sonostics, which also has an office at 204 Washington St. in Endicott, has developed a product it calls the HeartPartner. 

The opening of the Camillus office is part of an “aggressive,” three-year plan that will include bringing 135 new jobs to the Central New York region, Kyle Washington, executive VP of Sonostics, said in his remarks during the company’s formal-opening ceremony.

“This is our first satellite office … In the next 60 days to 90 days, we’ll be opening an office in Albany, followed by Rochester, and by the end of the year, Buffalo,” said Washington.

The 135 new jobs will be part of the firm’s advanced manufacturing operations for the HeartPartner product. 

“Right now, our manufacturing is being done in Shanghai [in China],” Washington said in speaking with reporters after the ceremony.

Sonostics is working with Empire State Development and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office to secure a location for its manufacturing operations. 

“I’ve looked at a couple locations. I know that we have not selected a location,” Washington told reporters.

He also noted that New York State has an “unprecedented amount of incentives available for companies like ours.”

The company currently has eight employees, Washington told reporters, including a clinical director in the Camillus satellite office, and it hopes to hire three additional employees in the Camillus office.

Kenneth McLeod, a researcher and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, launched Sonostics, Inc. in 2013. He is the firm’s president and CEO, according to its website.

McLeod is also the entrepreneur-in-residence at Binghamton University and founder of the school’s bioengineering program, Washington said in his remarks during the formal-opening ceremony.

About the HeartPartner

Sonostics says it “focuses on the non-invasive, non-pharmacologic treatment of secondary heart failure, which results in the pooling of fluids in the lower body and reduced venous return to the heart.” McLeod had conducted “extensive” research and 10 years of clinical studies that resulted in the creation of the HeartPartner.

The company’s website describes the purpose of the HeartPartner, saying it “exercises your secondary heart muscles — the soleus muscles in your lower legs — to improve conditions caused by poor circulation.” 

Sonostics’ Camillus office can provide screenings and information about people’s circulatory health, according to Washington.

“You just come in. It’s a cognitive assessment. We’re going to do three blood-pressure readings and give you some data that will help you understand your circulation better and also give you some data to talk to your primary-care physician about,” Washington told reporters.

Acting as the “pacemaker for your secondary hearts,” the HeartPartner’s “targeted vibration technology works to reduce lower-limb fluid pooling that can cause symptoms such as chronic fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive dysfunction, as well as swelling of the legs and feet and varicose veins,” according to the company’s website.

The HeartPartner costs $595, and Sonostics tells patients that insurance doesn’t cover that cost, Washington said. It’s available for purchase at the company’s website, along with locations of New York Skin & Vein Centers, he added.