Neuromotion

Business:Non-invasive neuro-stimulation devices

Contact:Tom Rice, CEO

Address:8215-112th Street, Suite 201, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2C8

Phone:[phone]

Founded:January 1996

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the electrical stimulation of appropriate nerves to trigger movement. NeuroMotion is developing three FES products for the motion impaired. WalkAid, a self-contained device with a computer interface, worn below the knee, helps control foot drop (the inability to move the ankle—a possible consequence of various neurological disorders). Second product is a non-surgical programmable glove for spinal cord injury sufferers who have wrist movement that aids in opening and closing the hand by stimulating muscles that control the fingers to strengthen grip. Third product is the Tremor Control Cuff(no comparable product on the market yet), placed on the forearm with a motion sensor system and microelectronic circuits run by algorithms and electrodes that monitor and suppress tremor.

Seed financing came from MDS Health Ventures Capital Corp. and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. Second round financing came from MDS.

In a market comprised of physical and occupational therapists, competitors include: N.E.S.S.(Israel); with a 510K approved device called the Hand Master, for those with no wrist movement, (it is not yet distributed in the US), and Cleveland-based Neurocontrol with the Free Hand System, an implantable device operated by the shoulder, currently in clinical trials.

Neuromotion plans to launch existing products with marketing partners (the first two are now in university-sponsored clinical trials), and to acquire high-end therapeutics relating to FES.

Founded by Dr. Richard Stein, Dr. Arthur Prochazka, and Mr. Kelly James, scientists from the University of Alberta, from which the company licensed its technology, the 6-employee company is run by Tom Rice, CEO and Christine Stacey, CFO, both formerly with Vencap Equities. —MR