Healthtech startup Cryogenx raises £800,000 for life-saving cooling device
Summary
London-based healthtech startup Cryogenx has secured a \xa3150,000 investment from the British Design Fund.This was part of a wider \xa3800,000 raise that included existing shareholders, angel investors, and a US-based fund.The company has developed a portable body cooling device CGX1, which is described as an ice bath in a backpack. Its designed to enable rapid, life-saving cooling in any scenario.Cryogenxs patent-pending technology features a powerful coolant stored within compact cylinders that is injected into an adhesive, thermally conductive pad placed on the patients torso. This emulates the effects of ice water immersion and offers a first-line treatment for anyone suffering from heat-related illness, particularly heatstroke.Cryogenxs founder, Matt Anderson, came up with the idea while studying Industrial Design at Brunel University.After watching a documentary that led to a cameraman losing his life due to the effects of heat while filming in a remote location, Matt began looking into the dangers and effects of extreme heat.An estimated 489,000 deaths globally are caused by extreme heat every year, and it is likely these figures will significantly increase due to rising temperatures caused by climate change.Across the world, people are suffering and dying from the effects of extreme heat and weve seen these figures rise, particularly in the last 5-10 years, where record temperatures have been hit across the world.The increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, leads to a marked increase in excess mortality and could potentially be the new norm with the growing rate of extreme heat events as a result of global warming.With heatstroke, the quicker you can start effectively reducing core body temperature, the more successful the treatment will be. However, in remote locations that can be very challenging.Cryogenx supports individuals and organisations where incidents of heat-related illness are common or likely, such as where physical labour and exposure to heat and humidity forms part of the job. This includes defence, construction, the energy sector, manufacturing industries, the fire service, sports, among many others.Damon Bonser, CEO at the British Design Fund, said:Cryogenxs technology solves a growing global need for a rapid, emergency response for heat illness.