Preventing IV infusion lines from kinking, Novarix

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 13 Jul 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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Novarix Ltd, Oxford, UK, has signed a worldwide licensing and distribution agreement with Owen Mumford Ltd, UK, to manufacture, market and distribute worldwide, Novarix's first product, an innovative medical device known as Uni-line that prevents IV infusion lines from kinking.

The Uni-line device was invented by Lise Kagenow, a Danish nurse.

Ms Kagenow said:

"I experienced at first hand the problems caused by kinking IV lines, which block the flow of blood infusions and drugs to patients and can increase the risk of infection. There is also a significant cost to the NHS as nurses are diverted from other tasks to change damaged drip lines, which are then discarded."

Ms Kagenow's solution to the problem was Uni-line, a small plastic device shaped like a horseshoe that can be easily snapped on to IV lines, holding them securely so that they do not twist when patients move. Ms Kagenow subsequently founded Novarix Ltd to commercialise the invention, with assistance from Oxford Innovation Ltd, a leading provider of services to innovators and entrepreneurs.

Ms Kagenow, Managing Director of Novarix, said:

"I am delighted to have completed this agreement with Owen Mumford, a key player in the medical devices and disposables market whose products are used by healthcare professionals and consumers worldwide. The agreement marks a significant milestone for Novarix and, following the successful completion of trials of the Uni-line device in hospitals in the UK and Denmark, will enable Uni-line to be distributed to hospitals across the world."

John Webb, Sales & Marketing Director, of Owen Mumford, said:

"The Owen Mumford business ethos is all about providing innovative healthcare devices to manage a variety of medical conditions. Kinking IV lines are a common problem in hospitals the world over and the innovative Uni-line device provides a simple, cost-effective solution that has the potential to improve the healthcare of hundreds of thousands of patients, and make substantial cost savings for hospitals. We are pleased to have this opportunity to work closely with Novarix to manufacture and market Uni-line, which complements our existing product portfolio. We plan to launch Uni-line in most developed markets in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Ms Kagenow praised Oxford Innovation's business support:

"The business support Novarix has received from Oxford Innovation has made a real difference. As well as providing offices at Oxford Centre for Innovation, Oxford Innovation also helped Novarix raise vital seedcorn finance from business angels. They continue to provide administrative support and access to their range of contacts and networks, including specialist networks for the healthcare sector, which is very valuable. It is also great to be based in the midst of a community of entrepreneurs where I can share experience with other growing companies."

Dr David Kingham, Chief Executive of Oxford Innovation, said:

"I congratulate Lise Kagenow on achieving this major goal after just one year in business. Oxford Innovation provides business planning support and help with fundraising to a number of entrepreneurs in the healthcare and other technology sectors. We were happy to help Lise get Novarix off to a flying start and wish her every success with Uni-line - as well as with her future inventions."

NOVARIX LTD
Tel: +44 (0)1865 811127
http://www.novarix.co.uk

Founded in March 2004, Novarix supports the commercialisation of healthcare innovations. The company welcomes the opportunity to speak to, and partner with, healthcare professionals to help them turn their ideas into products to improve healthcare.

The company's first product, Uni-line, eliminates the tendency for IV lines to kink and stabilizes the cannula in the patient's vein, improving patient comfort and clinical efficiency. Novarix has a product pipeline in development focused on addressing other clinical areas and producing efficient and effective medical devices.

OWEN MUMFORD LTD
http://www.owenmumford.co.uk

Founded in 1952 by Ivan Owen and John Mumford, Owen Mumford's first product was an improved version of the Macintosh Laryngoscope, closely followed by the Oxford Inflating Bellows, Radcliffe Humidifier and accessories for these products.

Today, Owen Mumford designs and manufactures a range of medical devices and disposables that are used by healthcare professionals and consumers worldwide. The company is dedicated to the development and manufacture of small medical devices for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical conditions.

Owen Mumford currently employs 375 staff and is headquartered in the UK, with subsidiaries in Germany, France and the USA.

OXFORD INNOVATION LTD
http://www.oxin.co.uk

Oxford Innovation Ltd provides services to innovative start-up companies, and to government bodies that promote enterprise. It is the UK's leading operator of Innovation Centres, managing 12 Innovation Centres that provide flexible office and laboratory space to over 300 technology, knowledge-based and creative companies.

Oxford Innovation manages Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION http://www.oxin.co.uk), Europe's most successful technology business angel network that links investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from £150,000 to £2 million. OION helped 13 companies raise £2.5m in the year to March 2005, and in the last five years, has helped 74 companies raise £17.3m.

Oxford Innovation also runs Thames Valley Investment Network (http://www.oxin.co.uk), which holds monthly presentation meetings where selected entrepreneurs present their business proposals to investor members in the Reading area. In November 2004, Oxford Innovation launched Oxford Early Investments (http://www.oxei.co.uk), a new investment network to help very early stage companies raise finance of up to £150,000.

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