The world’s first AI driven wearable with remote operation designed to monitor and treat stroke induced paralysis
Game changing technology for stroke patients
The only wearable with remotely controlled electrical stimulation
Start-up from Imperial College London – world leading University
Strong management team with broad experience
Description:
Our client is a startup from the prestigious Imperial College in London – they have created a unique wearable, designed to directly help stroke survivors recover from paresis (a form of paralysis) in their hands and arms. Saving time and money for stroke patients and healthcare systems, worldwide. With both therapist-led and patient-led rehabilitation options – the technology is designed for various severities of paralysis. Presently, there is no wearable technology in the Stroke Neuro-Rehabilitation market providing real-time hand movements alongside remote use. A Letter of Interest obtained from Charing Cross estimates a £240 million saving to the NHS per year alone, assisting critical pre-/post-surgery pathways, early discharge from hospital rehabilitation in community settings or at home.
Our client addresses the key challenges by offering a novel and cost-effective wearable solution, combining electromyography (EMG) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) to support recovery. The device's novel and tested elastic electrode array monitors neuromuscular activity and assists hand and arm movements in real-time, from virtually anywhere, enhancing the patient's own efforts.
Need:
- Stroke is the leading cause of disability in UK, with 1.2 million survivors and 79,000 new cases each year.
- Stroke costs the UK economy £26bn annually (including £8.6bn for NHS and Personalised Social Services).
- ~70% of patients suffer stroke-induced paresis (i.e., paralysis), whereby effective rehabilitation can deliver better patient outcomes and increase Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY).
- NICE's minimum recommended amount of stroke physiotherapy has increased from 45-minutes to 3-hours per day; increasing the patient backlog requiring therapy, whilst supply of therapists remains low.
- In 2024, 61% of patients missed their 6-month assessments and 25% of patients managed up to 45-minutes of daily in-patient physiotherapy (reaching only a quarter of the recommended amount of therapy of 3-hours).
- 45% of patients feel abandoned after leaving hospital, resulting in complete recovery rates as low as 10%.
- Lord Darzi's independent report of NHS (2024) promotes an increase in technology adoption in NHS as well as virtual wards - supporting remote monitoring. NHS/UK and international private healthcare is increasingly adopting digital health innovations.
Opportunity and Traction:
- Letter of Interest from Charing Cross Hospital, to use Myonerv on their 1,200 patients per year with stroke-induced paralysis. Estimated £3.7 million revenue from Charing Cross Hospital alone (year 1 of commercialisation). £93.6 million estimated 5-year cumulative revenue.
- Letter of Support from Stroke Association.
- Letter of Support from Cambridge Consultants (leading global manufacturer), impressed with the skill in developing the prototype to date and describing technology as “profound”.
- The Technology received an exclusive public showcase at The British Museum in November 2024.
- £195k awarded from Imperial Confidence in Concept Grant.
- £58k awarded from the MedTech SuperConnector Accelerator.
- £2.5k awarded from Santander X UK Awards 2024 entrepreneurship competition (technology was crowned finalist out of 800 applications).
- Pioneer Group Pre-Accelerator inductee (in collaboration with Health Innovate East Midlands) and accepted onto waitlist for full Accelerator in 2025.
- IUK grant application for £660k submitted.
- Miniaturised 2.4 x 2.4cm state-of-the-art boards developed and tested, for wearables.
- Miniaturised stimulator developed and tested for wearables.
- Novel elastic electrodes developed and tested to be safer than metal platinum electrodes.
- 4 publications on technological aspects, summating to TRL3 prototype tested on team.
- Detailed “Freedom to Operate” search performed using PatBase with Letter from HGF (one of Europe’s largest patent firms) stating technology is “fertile ground for patentable subject matter”.
- Competitors lack real-time closed-loop electrical stimulation for personalized, optimal neuroplasticity-driven rehabilitation, and neither come as simple 'wearable formats' for use beyond clinic.
- Our client’s solution is designed to act as a Neuro-Rehabilitation Device for B2C (direct to patient, therapist and carers) whilst phasing in NHS B2B2C sales.
- 5,486,604kg in CO₂e per-year saved through 75% reduction in yearly travel to rehab centres and switch to reusable electrodes.Further £850 million saving by 2035 across all categories in stroke economic burden to the UK.
Our Client seeks up to 4 Non-Execs with the following expertise:
- Medical Device regulatory approval experience (e.g. CE mark a Class IIa medical device via rule 9 of EU MDR, with software, and / or US FDA Approval and UK MDD UKCA marking).
- Design for Mass Manufacture and Supply Chain experience for medical devices.
- Clinical Trial design experience for a commercial medical device.
(For all the above roles, NEDs with networks/contacts in care, physiotherapy, ICBs, Neurology/Rehabilitation, NHS/private hospitals, will be preferred).
The Non-Executive Directors will be encouraged to become shareholders in the Company, investing circa £50k (SEIS/EIS relief is available) to align the incoming Non-Exec’s interest with that of the existing Directors who are all shareholders. It is anticipated that the NED’s will contribute 2 or 3 days per month of their time, which may be more in the early stages.
Applying for the role:
If you have not already done so, please register your CV at www.firstflightnonexec.com/register and then complete the online application form for role 1250.
For further information or for an informal discussion please contact First Flight Non-Executive Directors Ltd at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01797 270271.
Once a Non-Disclosure agreement has been returned we will provide an Exec Summary and a Pitch Deck, ahead of direct discussions with the Founder.
Closing date for applications: Friday 28 February 2025