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Pirouette Pharma

YC S21

Boston, US · Founded 2017 · Delaware corporation · 9 employees · Hiring · 6 known investors

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Pirouette develops OnePush, a fully automatic hidden-needle auto-injector platform paired with drug programs across chronic and rescue care indications. The company is advancing clinical-stage programs in naloxone, epinephrine, promethazine, and methotrexate while scaling U.S. automated manufacturing and securing IP protection through 2045.

Also known as Pirouette Medical · Pirouette Medical, LLC. · Pirouette Medical, LLC., Pirouette Medical · Pirouette · Pirouette Pharma

Advanced ManufacturingBiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesHealth TechHealthcareUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S21)

Pirouette Pharma was founded in 2017 by Conor Cullinane, Matthew Kane, and Elijah Kapas.

CCConor Cullinane
Conor CullinaneFounderConor Cullinane holds a PhD in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics from MIT and Harvard Medical School's Health Sciences and Technology Program, and a BS in aeronautical engineering from Clarkson University. He has professional expertise in human factors engineering, medical engineering, medical physics, and startup development.
MKMatthew Kane
Matthew KaneFounderMatthew Kane holds a B.S. in aeronautical and mechanical engineering from Clarkson University and an M.Sc. in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He serves as COO of Pirouette Medical, overseeing FDA regulatory matters, project management, quality systems, and design analysis, with prior experience in fluid dynamics and turbomachinery.
EKElijah Kapas
Elijah KapasFounderElijah Kapas holds a dual degree in mechanical and civil engineering from Clarkson University. He serves as CTO of Pirouette Medical, where he leads device design and intellectual property development, and has held various roles in quality and supervisory positions across multiple industries.
EKElijah Kapas
Elijah KapasFounder
MF
Matthew FoxCOS
IF
Isabella FelicianoHR Recruiter / Generalistformer
JM
Jamie MartinChief of Staffformer
EB
Erin BeauregardChief of Staffformer

Board

PMPARINAZ MOTAMEDY
PARINAZ MOTAMEDYBoard directorPartner at Safar Partners
JN
JOSEPH NEMMERSBoard director

Investors · 6

Gaingels✓ confirmed by Pirouette PharmaNew York · $200K – $500K

How we know: the company's own site · Not right? Tell us

515 Ventureslisted by 515 Ventures

How we know: 515 Ventures's portfolio page · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Founderslisted by FoundersSan Francisco · $250K
Helium-3 Ventureslisted by Helium-3 VenturesNew York

How we know: Helium-3 Ventures's portfolio page · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Safar Partnerslisted by Safar PartnersCambridge

How we know: businesswire.com · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$14M disclosed across 5 of 6 rounds · 2021–2026

▶$1.1MraisedMar 2026 · 1 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(c)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • JOSEPH NEMMERSDirector
  • PARINAZ MOTAMEDYDirector
  • MATTHEW KANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • ELIJAH KAPASExecutive Officer, Promoter
  • CONOR CULLINANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Offering amount
$6M
Amount sold
$1.1M
Placement agents
Wefunder Portal LLC
First sale
Mar 2026
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06c
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$2.4MraisedApr 2025 · 1 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(c)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • PARINAZ MOTAMEDYDirector
  • ELIJAH KAPASExecutive Officer, Promoter
  • MATTHEW KANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • CONOR CULLINANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • JOSEPH NEMMERSDirector
Offering amount
$3.5M
Amount sold
$2.4M
Placement agents
Wefunder Portal LLC
First sale
Mar 2025
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06c
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$2.5MraisedJun 2022 · 2 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • JOSEPH NEMMERSDirector
  • PARINAZ MOTAMEDYDirector
  • CONOR CULLINANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Offering amount
$15M
Amount sold
$2.5M
First sale
May 2022
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2017
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$7MraisedSep 2021 · 29 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • CONOR CULLINANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • JOSEPH NEMMERSExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • ARUNAS CHESONISExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Offering amount
$10.6M
Amount sold
$7M
First sale
Aug 2021
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2017
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$1MraisedJul 2021 · 8 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • CONOR CULLINANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • ELIJAH KAPASExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
  • MATTHEW KANEExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Offering amount
$1.3M
Amount sold
$1M
Minimum investment
$50K
First sale
Jun 2021
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2017
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Company profile

researched Aug 2026

Pirouette Pharma is a drug delivery company developing OnePush, a disc-shaped, push-button auto-injector featuring a fully automatic hidden needle and smooth, controlled needle insertion intended to reduce needle sensation and hesitation during at-home self-administration. The device supports precise intramuscular or subcutaneous dosing and is positioned for high-stress use conditions.

The platform is described as API-agnostic and partner-ready, supporting both Pirouette's internal programs and co-development with pharmaceutical companies. Target applications include novel and established injectables for chronic conditions such as oncology therapies and HIV medications. The company is developing improved presentations of multiple well-characterized injectable medicines using the FDA's 505(b)(2) and 351(k) regulatory pathways, pairing known medicines with the device and building on existing FDA data to shorten development timelines.

Business model

Pirouette combines proprietary drug-device programs with co-development and partnership arrangements in which pharmaceutical companies pair their injectable products with the OnePush auto-injector platform.

▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market

Market position

Pirouette positions OnePush as a platform that improves brand differentiation and adoption for partnered injectables while raising patient compliance and persistency.

The device's hidden needle and automatic, controlled insertion are intended to reduce needle anxiety relative to conventional auto-injectors; blinded market research cited by the company reports that 100% of surveyed oncologists would prescribe OnePush over traditional auto-injectors. Use of the 505(b)(2) and 351(k) pathways with well-characterized medicines allows development to build on existing FDA data.

Technology

OnePush is a disc-shaped, push-button auto-injector with a fully automatic, hidden needle and controlled insertion mechanism designed to reduce needle visibility and sensation. It delivers precise intramuscular or subcutaneous doses and is API-agnostic, allowing it to be paired with a range of injectable drugs.

Go-to-market

The company pursues its own drug-device programs alongside partnerships and co-development deals with pharmaceutical companies, and solicits partnership inquiries directly through its website.

Patients self-administering injectable therapies at home for chronic conditions, including oncology and HIV indications, and pharmaceutical companies seeking a differentiated delivery presentation for their injectables.

Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.

Key figures

latest reported
Oncologists who would prescribe OnePush over traditional auto-injectors (blindedJan 2025100%

Company-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.

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Companies working in the same space as Pirouette Pharma.

Legal entities · 2

corporate structure
Pirouette PharmaDelaware
Pirouette Pharma Inc.

In the news

Pirouette Pharma Funding | Complete Analysis | Extruct AIextruct.ai

▸Research sources · 1

primary sources listed

1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

What does Pirouette Pharma do?
Pirouette Pharma develops OnePush, a disc-shaped push-button auto-injector with a fully automatic hidden needle.
Who founded Pirouette Pharma?
Pirouette Pharma was founded by Conor Cullinane, Matthew Kane, Elijah Kapas in 2017.
Who are Pirouette Pharma's investors?
Pirouette Pharma's investors include Y Combinator, Gaingels, 515 Ventures, Founders, Helium-3 Ventures, Safar Partners.
How much funding has Pirouette Pharma raised?
Pirouette Pharma has disclosed $14M raised across 5 of its 6 known rounds.
Where is Pirouette Pharma headquartered?
Pirouette Pharma is headquartered in Boston, US.