Why the MedRing matters?
Incontinence is an extremely annoying condition for which current treatment, in the form of pills, has many side effects.
LiGalli has developed a unique vaginal ring that delivers controlled incontinence medicine in a liquid form, as a result, it aims to cut side effects and improve drug delivery. It fits the market for women's health devices and femtech. Demcon, helped with the first build by providing engineering consultancy.
How the MedRing works?
LiGalli’s MedRing enables more effective drug delivery and better diagnostics, and is controlled via a smartphone app. In this way, incontinence can be treated in a targeted manner, so that women can go through their day with more control. Recently, medical device developer and manufacturer Demcon completed the development and first production of the MedRing on behalf of LiGalli.
Second-generation vaginal ring
LiGalli was founded by Willem de Laat, who trained as a gynecologist and is the former chief medical officer of Organon. At Organon, he was responsible for introducing the first vaginal ring, the NuvaRing, for the delivery of contraceptives. Now he is the inventor of the second-generation vaginal ring. “As far as we can tell, our MedRing is the first and only one that is controlled from an app and can collect data for diagnostics. We have obtained a patent for this. The human body is not only able to absorb medicines, it also continuously sends out a lot of data about its own condition. LiGalli wanted a partner with strong medical product development and small-scale design, and Demcon was a match.
Development partner and investor
The MedRing was a tough build. The team had to fit a pump, a small drug tank, electronics, an antenna, and a battery into a tiny ring.
Demcon CEO Dennis Schipper is described as a true entrepreneur and visionary. Both firms say they want to build a Dutch company, not chase a quick win. Demcon also joined the new funding round, which shows trust in the project.
Funding
LiGalli raised six million euros in new investments from existing and new shareholders. With this capital injection, LiGalli will finance the market introduction of the MedRing for incontinence medication, and the development of new MedRing applications, where Demcon will take care of both the hardware and the software. The operation of the ring has now been demonstrated, and Demcon has almost completed the assembly of the first rings. The first tests with the administration of oxybutynin in patients will follow in a few months.
Solution to a social problem
Demcon develops technological solutions to social problems, explains Jemy Pauwels, director investment at Demcon. “An overactive bladder affects more than 600 million people worldwide, most of them women, of whom about 100 million require treatment. In severe forms it can even lead to depression. The major advantages of LiGalli’s MedRing over alternatives are the reduced side effects and greater social acceptance. A further plus is the possibilities for monitoring the patient, also in the future for other conditions. Together with LiGalli we are looking for the ‘holy grail’: controlled drug delivery based on diagnostic measurements. As Demcon, we are happy to contribute to these new treatment options for women with engineering, production, and investment. We do this with confidence, because the current management has earned its spurs, and is supported by a wide range of skilled advisers and an expert supervisory board.”
Photo: The Ligalli MedRing Inside the Human Body