Medtech Start-Ups Innovate In Urinary Incontinence

Article preview from Start-Up - December, 2012

Angel- and venture-backed medtech start-ups are working to fill the tremendous unmet need for alternative device options for treating (not just managing) female urinary incontinence a condition that has a significant impact on quality of life for millions of women. In this issue we profile Floelle, InControl Medical, NexHand, and Solace Therapeutics.

 Medtech Start-Ups Innovate In Urinary Incontinence

Article preview from Start-Up - December, 2012

Angel- and venture-backed companies are working to fill the tremendous unmet need for alternative device options for treating (not just managing) a condition that has a significant impact on quality of life for millions of women.

 

Urinary incontinence (UI) in women is a significant and growing health problem that is under-reported, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. It has considerable social and economic impact, and few safe and effective device-based solutions. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – involuntary leakage during episodes of increased intra-abdominal pressure from coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise – is associated with poor muscle tone in the pelvic floor muscles resulting from vaginal childbirth, pelvic surgery, increased body mass index, smoking, and other factors, and its incidence increases with age. Current evidence indicates that SUI affects 4% to 14% of younger women and 12% to 35% of older women in the US, equivalent to more than 15 million women. These figures are increasing dramatically as the population ages and becomes more obese. (See Exhibit 1.) It is also the primary cause for nursing home admission in the elderly. Millions of patients with mild to moderate incontinence do not seek treatment, and instead manage their condition with absorbent pads, or they avoid physical activity and social situations where they may have incontinence episodes.

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About Start-Up

No publication reviews leading edge companies and technology better than Start-Up. Each issue of Start-Up profiles the most important new product companies, identifies the hottest technology areas, reviews funds flowing into private companies and investment trends, and reports on university tech transfer licensing. Industries covered: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical equipment & devices, and in vitro diagnostics.

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