Manchester, UK. 22 May 2012 – Phagenesis Ltd, the global leader in the treatment of dysphagia (inability to swallow safely), has been awarded c. £1 million from the Wellcome Trust to extend the scope of its dysphagia treatment device, from hospitals into the community. The Phagenesis technology is designed to treat patients who are dysphagic following a stroke.
Dysphagia affects more than one million stroke victims in Europe and North America per year. Dysphagic patients can suffer from malnutrition and can develop pneumonia as a result of inhaling solids, liquids or their own saliva. Currently, there is no generally accepted treatment for the condition and patients typically have to be fed puréed food and thickened liquids or be fed through a tube, which can severely limit their quality of life.
Phagenesis has developed the world’s first clinically-proven device to treat dysphagia in stroke patients in the first few weeks while they are hospitalised. With the help of the Wellcome Trust, Phagenesis is now developing and testing a new version of its device to treat patients suffering from long-term dysphagia.
Daniel Green, CEO of Phagenesis, said: “Our technology can make a significant difference to patients in the hospital who have this difficult-to-treat condition. We believe this benefit can be extended more widely to people outside the hospital setting. We are delighted to have the support of the Wellcome Trust to adapt our technology and reach these patients and improve their quality of life.”
He added: “The Wellcome Trust adds to our already strong group of partners led by Inventages and Anglo Scientific.”
About Phagenesis
Phagenesis is developing the first clinically proven treatment for dysphagia, a debilitating and often lethal condition in which the patient’s ability to swallow is damaged. Dysphagia can lead to the inhalation of solids or liquids followed by pneumonia. Sufferers face being fed through a tube indefinitely, reduced life expectancy and quality of life. Phagenesis raised a £2 million Series A financing in 2010, and €7 million in a Series B financing in 2011. For more information, please visit our website at www.phagenesis.com.
About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust’s breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests.
www.wellcome.ac.uk
For more information, please contact:
Daniel Green
CEO
Phagenesis Ltd
Email: daniel.green@phagenesis.com
Direct line + 44(0)161 820 4524
