HEE Grant Boosts Progression of Self-Monitoring Device

Cambridge-based company NeutroCheck, has received £125,000 from Medtech Accelerator to support development of an at-home safety monitor that will enable patients to test the levels and potential activity of a key blood cell which is supressed during chemotherapy treatments. By gauging a patient’s vulnerability to infections, including potentially life-threatening neutropenic sepsis, patients are provided with an early warning system to seek medical advice.

Dr Saif Ahmad, a clinical oncologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Director of NeutroCheck said: “We are delighted to have been given this boost to develop our innovation and progress our prototype. We hope NeutroCheck will enable patients to quickly, accurately and simply check their neutrophil count in their own home from a finger-prick of blood. This will give them reassurance about when to go to hospital and avoid unnecessary hospital visits as currently half of patients who present do not have reduced neutrophils on their hospital blood test.”

Since its inception in 2016, Medtech Accelerator has now committed £1.4 million of funding to 13 potentially life-enhancing technologies. Led by HEE, in partnership with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP), Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Eastern AHSN and Essex County Council, the joint venture was launched to support innovations through the earliest stages of development by facilitating proof of concept work, such as prototype design, initial testing, clinical evaluation and pilot production.

Dr Anne Blackwood, CEO of HEE, said: “Over the last four years, Medtech Accelerator has built up an enviable track record: 13 pioneering technologies in various stages of development can attribute their success to early support from the scheme, and that’s something we are hugely proud of. These technologies all have the potential to make a dramatic impact in a wide range of medical fields, including cancer surgery, endoscopy and anaesthesia. We look forward to the roll-out of more Medtech Accelerator-backed devices and to seeing the benefits they can bring to patients and clinicians.”

Commenting on the recent award, Dr Louise Jopling, Commercial Director Eastern AHSN, stated: “The purpose of Eastern AHSN is to turn great ideas into positive health impact and we are committed to nurture innovation from within the East of England and build a diverse portfolio of medical device companies. We hope this funding and the wider support of our team of experts will help progress this innovation to improve patient safety through enabling the speedy referral of patients requiring urgent care as well as improve quality of life for patients by reducing unnecessary and sometimes stressful hospital visits.”

James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough added: There never was a more vital time to come up with new tools for healthcare. I’m proud that the Mayoral Combined Authority has helped bring this innovative and potentially life-saving product closer to market. The Local Growth Fund is all about helping adventurous new ideas take flight and the Mayoral Combined Authority is committed to firing up the trailblazing spirit and offering businesses a platform for growth in these very tough times.”