World-First Wearable Device for Tourette Syndrome Secures Seed Funding

Image credit: Neupulse

With Tourette syndrome thought to affect up to one percent of the world’s population, a UK-based start-up is another step closer to commercialising its world-first wearable device aimed at tackling tic disorders.

Neupulse announced last month that it has secured almost $AUD4.8 million (£2.5 million) in seed stage investment, as it works towards regulatory approval in the UK, US and Europe.

The device, currently in prototype phase, works by stimulating the median nerve in a patient’s wrist to reduce tics. It is designed to be ultimately used independently by patients outside clinical settings.

Clinical trials conducted last year testing the effectiveness of the Neupulse device found people experienced a drop in tic frequency of more than 25 percent while receiving the stimulation.

“Tourette syndrome [TS] is a debilitating condition, severely so in many cases and to the detriment of quality of life, and our mission is to drastically reduce tics with an easy-to-use wearable device that will be transformative to the lives of affected individuals,” said Neupulse CEO, Paul Cable in a statement.

“Our device is an alternative to the current provision of treatment for TS, which is centred around medication and cognitive behaviour therapy.”

Developers aim to launch the device to market in 2026, pending regulatory approval.

Check out the statement from Neupulse for more information.