Founded in March, 2016, Rithim Biologics is a privately held, early stage startup company developing gene therapies to treat tachycardias (fast heart rates) in humans. Utilizing gene therapies, our initial efforts are targeting atrial fibrillation (AF) and more specifically those patients at risk for post-operative (cardiac) AF (POAF). POAF has been reported in 27% to 40% of coronary artery bypass graph (CABG) surgery patients.1 Worldwide, approximately 800,000 patients undergo CABG procedures annually.2 Postop AF has been reported in 14% to 60% of Valve Surgery patients.3 Worldwide, approximately 360,000 patients undergo heart valve surgery.4 Considering all patients with any type of AF, in the United States alone it is estimated to be a $26 billion burden on healthcare.5 1 Mathew JP, Fontes ML, Tudor IC, Ramsay J, Duke P, Mazer CD, Barash PG, Hsu PH, Mangano DT. A Multicenter Risk Index for Atrial Fibrillation. After Cardiac Surgery JAMA, April 14, 2004—Vol 291, No. 14 p. 1720 2 Filardo G , Damiano RJ Jr , Ailawadi G , Thourani VH , Pollock BD , Sass DM , Phan TK , Nguyen H , da Graca B. Epidemiology of new-onset atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Heart. 2018 Jan 11. 3 Tanawuttiwat T, et al. New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Aortic Valve Replacement – Comparison of Transfemoral, Transapical, Transaortic, and Surgical Approaches. JACC, April 22, 2014 – Vol 63, No. 15 p.1510 4 Calculations based on Business Reports from Star Tribune, Medtronic Earnings , American Heart Association 5 Mozaffarian D, et al. Circulation 2016;133:e38-360.