Download the 2026 Economic Impact Report
Join Now
Join Now

ElectroWire Establishes Operations in Lexington County

Innovative cardiac surgery device to be manufactured in the heart of South Carolina

A cutting-edge medical device startup is set to revolutionize catheter-based, electrosurgical access to the heart with the establishment of its manufacturing operations in Lexington County, S.C. ElectroWire, founded by local cardiologist Dr. Robert Leonardi, will manufacture an innovative electrosurgical system aimed at improving the safety, precision and efficiency of catheter-based cardiac surgery.

ElectroWire’s flagship products will facilitate transseptal puncture, a critical step in many catheter-based cardiac surgeries, such as atrial fibrillation ablation and WatchmanTM procedures.  Transseptal puncture is performed more than 400,000 times annually in the United States and more than 1 million times globally. This purpose-built system is expected to be safer, more precise, more efficient and more cost-effective than currently available alternatives.

Leonardi, struck by the high costs and limited availability of the existing transseptal puncture technology, developed this system to make the procedure more accessible and cost-effective for hospitals. ElectroWire’s transseptal puncture system came about after many rounds of trials at Leonardi’s home, starting with an electrosurgical generator on the family ping-pong table as a temporary lab facility.

According to Dr. Leonardi, “ElectroWire was founded to bring value to patients through better outcomes and shorter procedures, to physicians through improved efficiency, and to hospitals through reduced cost.”

ElectroWire, currently employing three staff members including Leonardi, will begin production in Lexington County around the end of Q1 2025, with plans to ultimately manufacture several hundred thousand devices annually. The company’s presence reinforces Lexington County’s appeal as a premier location for innovative companies due to its business-friendly environment, skilled workforce and high quality of life.

Leonardi, who resides and practices in Lexington County, named the county’s attractive business climate and supportive community as key factors for establishing operations. “Lexington County is a great place to live and work, which made it an ideal location to start this venture,” he stated.

“We are proud to welcome ElectroWire to Lexington County, where innovation and opportunity thrive. The establishment of their operations here reflects the strong support we offer to cutting-edge industries and the excellent quality of life that makes Lexington a great place to do business,” said Lexington County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg (District 7). “We look forward to the positive economic impact this venture will bring to our community.”

ElectroWire’s local economic impact extends beyond Lexington, with material sourced from Zeus in neighboring Orangeburg County. By establishing operations in the Central South Carolina region, ElectroWire joins a host of companies in the biotech and medical space. “Central South Carolina is home to some of our state’s leading partners in research, innovation and medical manufacturing,” said Jason Giulietti, CEO of the Central SC Alliance. “We are thrilled to have ElectroWire in this growing ecosystem and congratulate them on this milestone.” 

ElectroWire aims to set a new standard for electrosurgical puncture procedures, offering an affordable, high-quality alternative to existing products, promising safer and faster outcomes for cardiovascular patients and improved bottom lines for hospitals. For more information, visit https://electrowiremedical.com/.

About Central South Carolina Alliance

The Central SC Alliance (CSCA) is a full-service professional economic development organization, founded in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, public/private partnership, engaged in the recruitment of capital investment and jobs to the Central Region of South Carolina. Since inception, CSCA and its partners and allies, have attracted $21.5 trillion in capital investment and over 86,000 new jobs to the Central Region of South Carolina.

CSCA represents the City of Columbia and the eight counties: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland. To learn more about the Central SC Alliance please visit our website at www.centralsc.org.

To learn more, visit our website at centralsc.org and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Join now to enjoy expanded member benefits!

Enjoy exclusive member content, special events, savings, networking and more

Join Today!

Paige Durham

SCbio is pleased to welcome Paige Durham to the team as communications coordinator to creatively and effectively communicate the value of the life science association’s programs and initiatives.

Durham will be responsible for developing and distributing high-quality content across multiple communications channels to build, advance and grow South Carolina’s life sciences industry, a key business sector for economic prosperity for the Palmetto State.

“SCbio is excited to welcome Paige to our team as our new communications coordinator. Paige brings fresh ideas and a strong background in communications that will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our engagement with our audience,” said SCbio President and CEO James Chappell. “We are confident that her skills and experience will be crucial in advancing our communication strategies and supporting our mission.”

Before joining SCbio, Durham was the Membership and Communications Manager at the South Carolina Pharmacy Association (SCPhA), where she used her photography, design and writing skills to create content tailored to pharmacy professionals. Durham’s effective communication skills guaranteed the delivery of brand-specific material that captured the eye of her audience.

During her time at SCPhA, Durham created and edited the Palmetto Pharmacist Journal, using her creative vision to showcase members, educational institutions and industry news. Her communications efforts successfully gained new followers for the organization over the course of a year, increasing brand visibility and promoting the pharmacy profession.

Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the College of Charleston.

Tamia Sumpter

Tamia is a driven senior undergraduate Bioengineering student currently enrolled at Clemson University. With a strong foundation in her field, she has honed her skills through hands-on experience in research and development at Eli Lilly & Company. During her time in the ADME department, Tamia contributed significantly by working on siRNAs and their applications in finding In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC). Looking ahead, Tamia has set her sights on a promising career in law. She aspires to specialize in Intellectual Property Law, with a particular focus on serving as in-house counsel for leading medical device or pharmaceutical companies. Her enthusiasm for this role is palpable as she prepares to embark on her legal journey! She is also a proud member of the Omicron Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., PEER Mentor for Clemson PEER/WiSE, and currently serves as the President of Clemson Bioengineering Organization (CBO). With her unique blend of scientific knowledge and legal interests, Tamia is poised to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare and life sciences industries.