Neubond Secures £1.5M to Bring Rehab Wristband

The big picture: Neubond, a spinout from Imperial College London, has secured £1.5 million in seed funding to commercialize its at-home stroke rehabilitation wristband. Neubond aims to help patients restore the connection between intention and action after a stroke. Waseda University Ventures, a deeptech fund from Tokyo, led the round, marking its first investment in a UK company.

Why it matters:

• Addressing care gaps: NHS guidelines recommend intensive stroke therapy, but provision often falls short. Neubond’s remote monitoring platform could help bridge this gap, enabling clinicians to track patient progress and adherence.
• Harnessing neuroplasticity: The device provides real-time sensory feedback, guiding the brain to rebuild lost neural pathways and improving patient motivation by demonstrating the effect of their rehabilitation efforts.
• Growing market demand: The global neurorehabilitation devices market, valued at $2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach nearly $5 billion by 2030, with wearable devices being the fastest-growing segment.

How it works:

• Neural signal detection: The wristband uses sensors to detect faint electrical signals from muscles, even when patients cannot consciously perceive movement or sensation.
• Real-time biofeedback: A companion app provides immediate visual feedback to the patient, confirming muscle activation and helping to re-establish the brain’s connection to movement.
• Remote program management: The platform allows clinicians to design and monitor personalized rehabilitation programs remotely, tracking repetitions, muscle contraction quality, and overall patient progress.

The catch: The neurorehabilitation wearables market is becoming increasingly competitive. Companies like Kandu Inc., formed from the merger of Kandu Health and Neurolutions, have secured significant funding for advanced brain-computer interfaces. Neubond’s strategy of focusing on MHRA approval and aligning with NHS priorities will be crucial as it navigates this competitive landscape, with the next 18 months critical for regulatory and commercial validation.