Clin-e-cal announces investment from Catapult Ventures to advance its pipeline of innovative digital health respiratory applications

Clin-e-cal, an innovative digital health company, today announced the completion of a new funding round to expand its development of a fundamentally new approach to training and compliance in respiratory medicine. The funding came from the GM&C Life Sciences Fund, managed by Catapult Ventures.

Clin-e-cal are developing several mobile applications in partnership with pharmaceutical and medical device companies to improve inhaler technique and medication compliance, both well-recognized needs within the respiratory field. Using its patent-pending Tone Analysis technology, the company’s first product, Rafi-Tone, uses gamification techniques to help young children take their medication more effectively.

Clin-e-cal was founded by clinical academic Tariq Aslam, in response to his own son’s breathing problems and his resistance to using his inhaler. The company is a spin-out from The University of Manchester (through its agent for IP commercialisation UMI3 Ltd) and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and maintains strong links to the clinical and academic communities.

Clin-e-cal CEO, Dr Lizzie Crawford, said “We are delighted to have closed this investment and are excited to be able to expand Clin-e-cal by further investing in our partnerships and R+D to maximise the value of our innovative approach addressing significant problems in the management of respiratory disease.”

Dr Vijay Barathan, Life Science Partner, said “We are looking forward to working with the team to advance their portfolio of innovate digital health respiratory applications. Their first product is a great example of how significant medical issues can be solved through the digitization of healthcare.”

Chris Spencer, Digital Health Venture Partner at Catapult and newly appointed Chairman of Clin-e-cal, said “Respiratory disease causes an immense worldwide health burden. For example, as long ago as 2013, the World Health Organisation estimated that 235m people suffered from asthma. I’m privileged to have been asked to assist Clin-e-cal as it helps others better manage their treatment and conditions.”