Many healthcare manufacturers have had a tough time during the pandemic, with supply chain shortages, staffing pressures and difficulties securing meetings with clinicians some of the most acute pressures.
The environment for start-ups has been particularly challenging, so Enteral Access Technologies (E.A.T.) has plenty of reasons to celebrate. The medical device firm, based in the North West, has fared well and has been able to secure demonstrations and meetings with clinicians to present its product and show how it can improve patient safety and unlock efficiencies.
The company has developed a product called DoubleCHEK, which uses CO2 and pH indicators, coupled with a proprietary valving system, to help clinicians place naso/oro gastric tubes safely and quickly in any environment. Misplacing these tubes is potentially life threatening, presenting risks to patients, and causing significant stress and anxiety for nurses and staff involved in the process.
Last December, E.A.T. secured over £750,000 in funding, through a combination of private investment and British Business Bank Future Fund funding. This additional investment enabled the company to work towards regulatory milestones and fine-tune the product’s features by working closely with clinicians.
In June, the company signed its first distribution agreement with Medicina, opening a route into the NHS and were shortlisted for the Medilink Partnership with the NHS: Acute Care award. Then in September E.A.T. completed UKCA and CE registrations, and filed its FDA 510(k) application, expanding the potential market for the product and giving investors access to much greater potential rewards.
George Gallagher, founder and CEO, said “The last 12 months have been a whirlwind at E.A.T. Since we secured funding last December, we have refined our product, achieved regulatory milestones, and signed a major distributor. I couldn’t be prouder of the work the team have done in such a challenging year and am so pleased with the progress we have made.
“By achieving so much so quickly we are able to get DoubleCHEK into the hands of nurses and reward our stakeholders who have stood by us in their belief in improving enteral access for all.”
