Innovative medical device to diagnose asthma seeks external investment

Northumbria medtech spinout, PulmoBioMed Ltd., has been named one of Tech Nation's Rising Stars 5.0 most innovative tech scaleups in the North East. Rising Stars is the UK’s most exciting competition for early stage scaleups, designed to showcase and support the best the country has to offer at a local, regional and national level. Speaking of the nomination, Founder and CSO Sterghios Moschos said: “We aim to turn the marathon patients face in getting their asthma diagnosed into a single step, as simple as breathing. For our mission, growth potential, and traction to inspire such an accolade is a rewarding and highly motivating recognition of our progress. Being TechNation Rising Star regional winners is a great opportunity for us to bring value to the North East, a region that has a long history in transforming healthcare and so much to offer to the nation’s prosperity”.

Scientists at Northumbria University worked with the institution’s Research and Innovation Services to launch the medtech spinout company in early 2020. Led by Associate Professor Dr Sterghios Moschos, working in collaboration with Northumbria graduates Jonathan Brookes and Saqib Ali, and colleagues Dr Pete Hotten and Dr Huw Edwards, the team created the first in a series of products: PBM-HALE™. This hand-held aerosol collecting device allows sampling of the deep lung in a non-invasive way, by patients simply breathing into it. PBM-HALE™ could revolutionise the early diagnosis and speed of treatment for patients suffering from a range of conditions, including asthma, lung cancer, paediatric wheeze, and lung infections.

The team have completed two clinical studies and grown customers in the USA, Europe, Australia, and China. After being awarded a £1M UK Government project, they are now looking for additional vital external investment matched to this grant, to grow the business and bring to market this innovative and much needed medical product. For more information visit the Pulmobiomed website or to get involved contact s.a.moschos@pulmobiomed.com, sterghios.moschos@northumbria.ac.uk or p.hotten@pulmobiomed.com.