South East Angels backs Precision Microbubbles to unlock effective treatments for brain diseases
South East Angels is pleased to announce its investment in Precision Microbubbles, a London-based medical device company developing a filtration technology for tiny biocompatible bubbles that can be used to deliver medicines to the brain.
The pre-seed investment will support Precision Microbubbles' route to market as it completes its research-grade product and begins generating revenue from sales to R&D customers who include medical device companies, pharma/CROs and research institutions - a critical first step ahead of converting to a clinical-grade product.
Led by Dr Elizabeth Wheeler and Dr Shusei Kawara, Precision Microbubbles addresses one of medicine's most persistent obstacles: the blood-brain barrier, which blocks approximately 99% of therapeutics from reaching the brain. The barrier blocks medicines such as antibodies, cell therapies, large-molecule chemotherapies, and gene therapies from reaching the brain. This severely limits treatment options for nearly all brain diseases, from brain cancers such as glioblastoma and DIPG, to neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and ALS, and is a primary driver of the poor prognosis for brain diseases.
Focused ultrasound combined with intravenous microbubbles offers a clinically validated method for temporarily opening the blood-brain barrier at a precise target. Precision Microbubbles' ‘M Sorter’ uses a microfluidic sorting mechanism to process a standard poly-sized microbubbles vial into uniform sizes in under three minutes, without altering the chemical composition of the approved microbubbles. The device slots into existing clinical workflows without modifications to the approved microbubbles or the ultrasound equipment.
"The blood-brain barrier has blocked generations of potentially effective treatments from reaching patients who desperately need them," said Dr Elizabeth Wheeler, CEO. "With South East Angels' support, we can take our research-grade product to market, start generating revenue with research sites, and build the commercial foundation to bring this into clinical use. Focused ultrasound is fast approaching the clinic and we intend to be the standard for microbubble preparation when it does."
"Precision Microbubbles is a compelling investment because the problem is real, well-evidenced, and regulatory bodies are already asking for a solution. Elizabeth and Shusei have built a technically credible device that sits at the enabling layer of a clinical wave that's building in momentum. The early adopter pipeline, combined with the team's deep technical and commercial experience, built a strong case for South East Angels to invest". - Jake Fox, Syndicate Lead, South East Angels.
Find out more about Precision Microbubbles. Connect with Dr Elizabeth Wheeler and Dr Shusei Kawara.
