Scottish start-up Manus Neurodynamica is developing real solutions to conditions that – despite the advance of modern medicine – still require digital tools to further improve the standards of care.

The company recently secured a loan from UMi Debt Finance Scotland, funded through the Scottish Growth Scheme, along with a new equity investment, to launch the patented Neuromotor Pen that will improve patient experience while supporting clinicians in their decision making and reducing healthcare costs. 

When it comes to neuromotor impairments, movement and mobility issues, GPs must refer patients to specialist consultants at vast expense to the National Health Service.

Around half of all patients who get referred end up being diagnosed with a benign movement abnormality that does not require specialist care.   

Manus Neurodynamica’s revolutionary Neuromotor Pen equips doctors with the information they need to make a diagnosis. 

A patented medical device with a wide range of clinical applications, Manus Neurodynamica’s Neuromotor Pen is the product of a 10-year collaboration between clinicians, researchers and developers across Europe.

Rutger Zietsma, CEO of Manus Neurodynamica, says: “The Neuromotor Pen works by analysing minute movement and fine motor skill to quantify symptoms with an accuracy beyond what can be achieved with the naked eye. Artificial intelligence is then applied to non-invasively help the clinician differentiate between impairments.”

Recognising the need to establish their ground-breaking technology in the healthcare industry as quickly as possible, Rutger and the team connected with UMi Debt Finance Scotland and secured a loan to serve as gap funding between investment rounds.   

Rutger continues: “We’ve received a total of £6.5m in funding, including local grants, a large European grant and equity investment. The UMi loan enabled us to keep everything moving at pace before the new investment came in.”

The current focus for Rutger and the team is on rolling out the product for screening and diagnostic use, supported by strategic activities to validate the product benefits and raising awareness about this disruptive medical device.

Looking ahead to the future, the pen will also be applied in monitoring post-diagnosis as well as supporting the diagnosis of other impairments. 

Tom Brock, Fund Director at UMi Debt Finance Scotland, says: “We are delighted to assist Manus Neurodynamica and the team on the next stage of their growth journey.

The company’s Neuromotor Pen represents a significant innovation in its field and is exactly the type of company we are keen to support through the Scottish Growth Scheme.”