MedTech start-up听Gelmetix, the developer of a polymer treatment for chronic lower back pain, has closed a successful 拢5 million Series C equity financing round.听听
Following successful in-vivo and pre-clinical studies, the University of Manchester spin-out will now use the additional capital to fund its upcoming first-in-human (FIH) trial and preparing for the pivotal study.听听
The Series C investment was led by Seneca Partners, while the 拢3 million Series B investment was led by Jonathan Milner.听
The pilot study will progress the development of its听minimally-invasive听chronic back pain treatment, DXM, which restores the function to intervertebral discs to relieve pain. By rehydrating the core (nucleus pulposus) of damaged spinal discs, the novel DXM polymer gel therapy restores their load-bearing properties, delaying or preventing surgical intervention.听听
The French regulator, L鈥橝gence听Nationale听de S茅curit茅 du听惭茅诲颈肠补尘别苍迟听(ANSM), has granted approval to听Gelmetix听to commence its first-in-human trial which will be performed by renowned spine surgeons Prof Jean-Charles Le听Huec听in Bordeaux, Prof Richard听Assaker听in Lille and Prof Patrick Tropiano in Marseille.听听
Patient recruitment has been initiated in France and the study will also include several sites in Australia.听听
The funding round follows the recent appointment of Andy Weymann as CEO. An orthopaedic surgeon, Andy brings industry-leading medical, product development and market development expertise to听Gelmetix.听听
He has 25 years of experience in global and executive positions in medical device and regenerative medicine organisations, and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer for听Smith+Nephew.听听
He also led AO Education, including the worldwide leading spine group,听AOSpine, where he worked with spine surgeons for seven years.听
Weymann commented: 鈥淭he burden of low back pain is extremely profound, accounting for the highest number of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) compared to any other condition or disease globally. I am very proud to lead such a great team developing treatment options which aim to bring hope of a long-lasting treatment to a huge group of patients facing enormous unmet need.鈥�听
Michael Fiore, Chairman of听Gelmetix, commented: 鈥淐hronic back pain is an extremely prevalent health concern, known for generating huge loss of quality of life and productivity for those affected.听
鈥�Yet no treatment options exist between opiate-based pain management and its associated dependency risks, and invasive orthopaedic surgery for progressed cases. DXM aims to address this gap and break the vicious cycle of pain and disc degeneration, with more than 15 million patients standing to benefit initially.听听
鈥淔ollowing this latest funding round and approval from听l鈥橝NSM,听Gelmetix听is in a great position to progress evidence for DXM and move closer to meeting the unmet needs of chronic orthopaedic pain.鈥�听
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