Oxford University spin-out raises £625k to for Parkinson's treatment device

gaitQ, a University of Oxford spin-out which is developing a wearable, smart medical device that helps those with Parkinson’s overcome gait freezing episodes, has raised £625,000 in funding since launching in March 2020. 

The funding is pre-seed capital from both the University of Oxford Innovation Fund V, managed by Parkwalk Advisors, and via a private investment from Simon Godwin, recently appointed chairman of gaitQ. Proceeds from the financing are being used to advance the early testing and development of gaitQ’s device. 

Parkinson’s UK has confirmed it will continue to support the development of gaitQ by facilitating patient and public involvement activities. The organisation will help to build gaitQ’s increasing network and advise on how the company can engage with people with Parkinson’s, their carers, clinicians and other key stakeholders.  

Natasha Ratcliffe, research involvement manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “People with Parkinson’s are at the heart of all the work we do, and their invaluable experiences and insights are helping to shape all forms of pioneering research. We’re really pleased to support gaitQ to involve the Parkinson’s community as they develop a device to overcome mobility issues. 

“Freezing is one of the most distressing yet least known symptoms of Parkinson's, and a recent survey we carried out highlighted that this issue becomes increasingly important to people as the condition progresses. Innovative technologies like the gaitQ system that could reduce freezing episodes hold real promise to significantly improve the quality of life for 145,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK, giving them more freedom to enjoy daily activities.” 

gaitQ is recruiting individuals with Parkinson’s for a study investigating the use of a range of device capabilities, in a clinical setting. The gaitQ system will include functionality to deliver personalised, adaptive cueing for people with Parkinson’s experiencing gait-freezing in a discreet, unobtrusive device. Data collected using the gaitQ system will reflect the episodes of gait freezing symptoms and walking quality over time to allow the progression of the condition to be tracked. 

Tristan Collins, CEO of gaitQ, said: “The last year has been very important for gaitQ and we are pleased to have made significant progress towards the development of our system despite the challenging COVID-19 environment that we are operating in. The investment, combined with the continued support from Parkinson’s UK, enhances the credibility and integrity of gaitQ and will help us achieve our mission of improving mobility in people with Parkinson’s. We are thankful for the continued support of our shareholders and are looking forward to receiving clinical validation from the upcoming clinical study which will take us to the next step in our development.” 

Simon Godwin, chairman of gaitQ, added: “I am very proud of the gaitQ team who have continued to drive forward the company which was spun out of the University of Oxford at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. I am excited about the year ahead as the company continues to grow from strength to strength.”