A digital pen which provides early warning of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions has secured £1.2m funding to support its international roll-out.
The NeuroMotor Pen is set to launch later this year, initially focusing on the UK and Benelux markets, while also progressing work to secure regulatory approval to start selling in US.
The pen has passed clinical trials with the NHS in the North East of England and Scotland and is currently being used by Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust, and advanced talks to supply the pens to a UK-based primary care group are currently underway, following a development contract with NHS England to develop a version that can be used in GP surgeries.
The NeuroMotor Pen has been devised by Edinburgh medtech company Manus Neurodynamica.
Led by CEO Rutger Zietsma, Manus has spent over ten years developing the product, from concept through to manufacture and roll-out.
It works by employing sensors linked with analytical software which analyses the slightest limb and hand movements to help doctors assess whether a patient has early signs of Parkinson’s or other neurological conditions.
As well as providing a quick, inexpensive, non-invasive and objective aid to diagnosis, the CE-marked product also helps with the ongoing monitoring of those conditions.
In January last year, the firm signed a five-year contract with stationery brand Stabilo to manufacture the pens in Germany.
The invention, which has secured funding rounds totalling £5m to date to support its development in being able to benefit people with neurological conditions. Around 145,000 people are estimated to live with Parkinson’s in the UK alone and it the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.
Investors in its latest £1.2m round included North East Innovation Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Northstar Ventures, profit with purpose investor SIS Ventures and Old College Capital, the University of Edinburgh’s venture fund.
Dr. Rutger Zietsma, CEO of Manus
“2021 looks set to be an extremely busy year for Manus,” says Dr Zietsma.
“Having spent more than ten years developing, trialling and refining our first product, we can finally look forward to seeing our NeuroMotor Pens implemented more broadly and making a real difference to the lives of people living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.
“Through faster and simpler diagnoses and objective patient monitoring with digital record keeping, we can help streamline the pathway and deliver more successful treatment outcomes for the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.”
Rob Halliday, fund manager, SIS Ventures says: “Manus is one of Scotland’s most promising early stage medtech companies, with the potential to make a huge impact.
“With its disruptive technology, mission-led approach, and ambitious management team, Manus is exactly the kind of business we look to invest in at SIS Ventures.
“Working along with the other investors, we’re very pleased to support Rutger and his team through their next phase of growth and impact creation.”
Rick Charnley, investment manager, Northstar Ventures, adds: “Having originally been involved with the company via a previous investment used to develop the initial prototype, we’ve been impressed with the team’s enhanced mission and are delighted to support the company further.
“We’re big believers in the impact Medtech companies like Manus can have on an ageing society.”
