Oxford University spin-out awarded £135k by NIHR for Parkinson's wearable

gaitQ, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, which is developing a wearable, smart medical device that helps those with Parkinson’s overcome gait freezing episodes, has been awarded a £135,000 grant by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for the continued development of its system, aimed at tackling gait freeze in people with Parkinson’s (PwP). 

The grant will enable gaitQ to focus on improving the usability of its system for PwP, optimising its offer, and ensuring the necessary regulatory support is in place to guide the company towards commercialisation. 

Throughout the grant-funded project, gaitQ will be working with Parkinson’s UK at both national and regional levels including the Parkinson’s UK Oxford Branch, to help gain access to PwP and provide advice on the conduct and analysis of the proposed study. The results of the study will be shared with the NIHR prior to transitioning into a more advanced study.  

The grant forms part of the NIHR’s Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme which supports the preclinical and clinical development of medical technologies in areas of existing or emerging patient need. 

Tristan Collins, CEO of gaitQ, said: “We are pleased to receive this funding from the NIHR to accelerate our product development and support our business and commercial strategy. We consider this support a great validation of our technology and its potential to help tackle gait freeze and improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s.”