8 FUTURENORTH FEMEDA LTD


Pelviva is a an easy to use, clinically effective, treatment


6 March 2019


A breakthrough for women


North East firm develops pioneering female health technology


Femtech - female technology - is one of the fastest growing sectors of health- care, driven by an increased level of investment into the sector; forecast to reach $50bn by 2025, according to a recent Frost and Sullivan report. To date, female health has been


an area of healthcare with limited research and investment but there are signs this is changing, and Cram- lington-based Femeda Ltd is set for rapid expansion based on its innova- tive research development recently launched in the UK. A third of all women experi-


ence bladder leakage, which has a huge impact on their quality of life. Acknowledging a need for an easy-to- use, discreet and clinically effective treatment, Femeda focused on devel- oping a product that would be a life- changing breakthrough for women.


THE RESULT WAS PELVIVA: l a new treatment for women, patients and healthcare professionals with proven clinical efficacy l a solution to the problems caused by a lack of adherence, or inability to perform pelvic floor muscle exercises correctly l a disposable, discreet and easy-to- use pelvic floor muscle re-trainer with reactive pulse technology (RPT™). Pelviva incorporates a revolutionary pattern of neuromuscular electrical


stimulation using a programme devel- oped by Professor Jacqueline Oldham, of Manchester University. Each device contains a unique microprocessor that delivers the patented Pelviva waveform to the pelvic floor muscles. It is a single-use, disposable intra-


vaginal medical device made of a body responsive foam, which adapts to every woman’s individual shape. The unique Pelviva RPT delivers a series of inten- sive reactive pulses every alternate ten seconds, to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles.


THE DEVICE mimics the way the body works naturally, causing the pelvic floor muscles to contract. This helps restore speed and strength to the power fibres, to prevent bladder leak-


age when women cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise. It also re-trains the endur- ance fibres to hold on when a woman urgently needs the toilet, giving back control over urgency bladder leakage. Professor Oldham, Director of Cor-


ridor Manchester Health Innovation, said: “Pelviva is the result of pains- taking research through academic, clinical, and industry collaboration bringing innovation into healthcare. This trail blazing development has the potential to transform the lives of women world-wide.” Bladder leakage is the term Femeda


choose to use when talking about this condition as women find it difficult to relate to the correct medical term ‘urinary incontinence’, which is more commonly associated with the elderly and infirm. The condition affects a woman’s psychological, emotional, social, and sexual function. It is a global problem, affecting


“This trail blazing development has the potential to transform the lives of women world-wide”


Professor Jacqueline Oldham


women as young as 18 and often exac- erbated by childbirth and menopause. Only one in four are likely to consult with their healthcare professional due to the embarrassment which surrounds the condition; the rest will ‘suffer in silence’. As part of an on-going development


and focus on manufacturing excel- lence, in 2016 Femeda set up its own manufacturing plant in Cramlington. The plant runs alongside its R&D team to provide a springboard for future growth. Last month, Femeda won the 2019


Medilink Partnership with Academia Award. The awards celebrate success


spanning the whole of the North of England. The ceremony saw industry, academia and the NHS come together to toast the achievements of the incred- ibly strong health sector regionally.


THE COMPANY also won the Product of the Year category at the prestigious 2018 Bionow Awards which acknowl- edge ingenuity, dedication and the accomplishments of those who drive innovation and deliver outstanding results within the biomedical and life science sectors across Northern England. “It’s a first for a consumer medical


device to win the award and a great achievement against some exceptional competition and innovation across the regions,” said Andrew Tasker, chief executive of Femeda. “It is a credit to the close teamwork in the company that has become integral to how we work in the business, and which has driven our successful launch. “Our R&D efforts focus on clinical


leadership whilst continually incorpo- rating consumer and patient insights,” he said, adding “whilst bladder leakage is not a life-threat- ening condition, it is a life chang- ing condition for millions of women worldwide.” In recognition of


the major support the business has received from clini- cians and academics in the Manchester area


to bring Pelviva to the market, Femeda is investing back into the Greater Man- chester community. It has committed to provide up to £50,000-worth of Pelviva product to women with bladder leakage in the region, via the appropri- ate clinicians and hospital trusts. The company is working with Health


Innovation Manchester and the rel- evant health trusts, as well as primary and secondary care providers, to make the product available to women who as yet have had limited alternatives. “Bladder leakage is an extremely


common problem that seriously impacts on women’s lives,” said Julia Herbert, Femeda’s clinical director. “It has a close association with depression and often results in women withdraw- ing from social and physical activity. Bladder leakage can also negatively impact on a woman’s personal life, relationships and sexual function. “It’s been great to be involved in


the development of Pelviva to bring women a treatment that really does fit into their life, is easy to use and that is also clinically effective. Pelviva is a pioneering medical device that will have a life- changing impact on women’s qual- ity of life.”


Pelviva is available direct to consumers from www.pelviva.com and will soon to be available in selected


pharmacies.


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