SynDaver Labs, located in Tampa, Florida, creates artificial human cadavers. For example, he made a model that cost about $105,000. The model has a beating heart that pumps synthetic blood, moving legs and arms, eyes that blink, as well as motion detectors for changes in body temperature, and breathing ability.
The product is used by the American Army as well as various educational and medical institutes to train paramedics and doctors. A $65,000 surgical model is sold to medical facilities and academic institutions and has been featured on shows like Gray’s Anatomy. The company has over 100 employees and anticipates $10 million in income each year.
The Founder of SynDaver Labs
Christopher Sakezles is the founder of SynDaver Labs. He started this company in 2004 after getting fired from his position as a medical device engineer. Christopher founded the company in his garage and holds a PhD in polymer sciences.
However, it all got its start in 1993 at the University of Florida during a study where they examined a substance that closely resembled tissues found in living humans and animals during this work, developing the technology that would later power the SynDaver business. Sakezles established the business in 2004 with the goal of capturing a sizable market with a product that has a wide range of applications.
One complete human cadaver replica costs a lot to produce because of the extraordinary precision and quality of SynDaver’s products. So, Christopher Sakezles saw an opportunity to approach the sharks for a sizable investment to expand his operations. Christopher made the decision to look for outside assistance to boost the profitability of his firm because he was committed to launch this creative venture.
He was introduced to ABC’s Shark Tank in order to hunt for an adequate investor to enable SynDaver Labs move further on its path to success. The company has made $10 million in sales in the past three years, and sales are increasing by 20% annually.
SynDaver Labs on Shark Tank
One of the investors from Shark Tank, Robert Herjavec, invested $3 million for a 25% share in Christopher Sakezles’s company, SynDaver, in May 2015 after Sakezles made an appearance on the popular ABC show. This was one of the largest deals in the show’s history.
However, after the cameras stopped rolling, the deal was called off. Sakezles and Herjavec made an effort to work things out, but their relationship ultimately failed because it would have threatened his job as the company’s CEO. The deal was terminated and no extra money was invested in SynDaver since he wouldn’t give it up.
Syndaver Labs after Shark Tank
As of April 2021, the company was still in operation and had tens of millions in sales. Animal cadavers are now available for use in veterinary school as well. Even fake frogs are available for dissection. The business is preparing to list on the stock market in 2022. In comparison to the several Shark Tank products that were featured on the show up to this point, SynDaver Labs is obviously has established its own place.
Despite the Shark’s departure, the company still expects to make about $10 million over the coming year and is working to enlist new investors who would place an even higher value on the business than the Shark did. He expects SynDaver Labs to be successful in the future and plans to raise the company’s employees from the current 100 to 500 within the next three years.
Our Review of SynDaver Labs
SynDaver Labs produces man-made, synthetic cadavers with the goal of being given to medical institutes for research. SynDaver can create accurate anatomical human and animal bodies with cutting-edge tools and technology. To everyone’s amazement, SynDaver Labs creates entire synthetic human corpses that appear and feel just like the real thing, rather than just isolated synthetic body parts. With meticulous care to every tendon and muscle, the human body has been meticulously reconstructed.
In order to be used for clinical training, surgical courses, and several other medical investigations, every muscle or tendon found in the body is replicated in the most lifelike manner you can comprehend. In order to eliminate genuine animal and human cadavers from the medical education process, this company is working to develop a new way to study medical research. However, running a firm like this is not inexpensive. A SynDaver costs $40,000; whereas, a Caddy costs about $5-10,000, although both can be used repeatedly.
SynDaver Labs has amassed the largest library of living human and animal tissues in the world, thanks to their years of expertise in recreating body parts. The company uses FDA-approved technology along with surgical simulation, clinical training, and medical equipment instead of using live animals, cadavers, or human patients for medical training and research.
SynDaver Labs debuted the first synthetic dog in the world in 2016. In order to increase production and supply more to veterinary institutions, the company has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $24 million.
Pros of SynDaver Labs
- Human-like model with intricate details
- Great alternative to animal testing
- Advancement in medical research
Cons of SynDaver Labs
- Highly expensive
Are There Any Alternatives?
- KindHeart
Cellbricks - Prellis Biologics
Our Final Thoughts
The company’s goal is to industrialize a ground-breaking method of artificial body parts for application in science. Each model is made of a variety of intricate compound materials that accurately reflect the properties of the actual tissue.
In both laboratory and field experiments, it has been demonstrated that the tissues that are made of fibers, salts, and water can mimic the dielectric, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties of the corresponding biological tissue.
The primary objective of SynDaver Labs is to eradicate the use of cadavers and animals in training and medical education that could result in major financial savings for both the general public and the medical community.
Despite Herjavec’s departure as a member and investor, the business continues to be a revolutionary success overall. It seems that Sakezles’ failure was not ultimately due to his lack of concern for monetary gain.
SynDaver is still operating as of May 2022 and generating millions of dollars in revenue. After building the company from the ground up for 20 years, Sakezles told the New York Times he had no plans to retire.
