British technology start-up Ablatus has received a new UK patent for its ablation technology, offering a new minimally invasive treatment option for up to 12 million women in the UK with uterine fibroids.
Ablatus
The uterine fibroids device market is projected to reach $15.6 billion in 2032 and the new patent allows the enablement of additional direct current, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes and better quality of life across a range of clinical indications. Fibroids is a highly prevalent condition with around 80% of women globally having fibroids by the age of 50. Uterine fibroids can cause debilitating pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, abdominal swelling, and complications during pregnancy and labour. These conditions impose up to $34.4 billion annually in the US alone.
Dr. Chung Looi, CEO of Ablatus Therapeutics, said: “Our mission is to enable millions of women access to a safe and cost-effective treatment for uterine fibroids so they can enjoy a better quality of life whilst preserving their fertility. This is a vastly underfunded condition in the vastly underfunded sector of women’s health and enough is enough. Securing this patent on our technology gives hope that future generations will not have to endure unnecessary suffering.”
How it works:
- Uterine fibroids are the main cause of hysterectomy – 13,000 per year in the UK
- Current treatments are mainly hormone pills or invasive surgery
- Most women delay treatment for up to three years with 80% wanting to avoid invasive surgery and fear for fertility, facing crippling pain, debilitating symptoms and increasing risk of complication
- Ablation technology destroys tumours and at the site
- Minimally invasive
- Day case outpatient procedure (reducing costs of inpatient stays)
- A probe (needle) is inserted and uses radiofrequency (RFA) tech to penetrate the centre and destroy tumours.
Ablatus is a British women's technology health company born out of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Currently in advanced development, Luna targets fibroids with their patented enhanced ablation tech. Luna is grant backed by Innovate UK with an RTO Catapult Grant, and a Global Explorer's grant. Ablatus has previously secured already £3 million of funding from investors included by Mercia Ventures, Low Carbon Innovation Fund, MedTech Accelerator, and angel investors.
