INVENT 2024 Finalist Profile: Galvani TECH
Founders name: Dr David McEneaney, Professor Omar Escalona and Dr Mohammad Karim
What is your background?
Our team has a strong background in bioengineering and implantable device therapy, with each member bringing unique skills and experiences.
Professor Omar Escalona is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Cardiovascular Research (CACR) at Ulster University. He is a pioneer in wireless power transmission systems for implantable medical devices, serving as the chief scientific officer and founder of Galvani Tech.
Dr David McEneaney is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder. He is a Consultant Cardiologist with expertise in implantable device therapy and clinical trials.
Dr Mohammad Karim is technical project manager and co-founder. He is an expert in radio frequency transmission and thermal physics.
What problem are you solving?
Heart failure is a growing public health problem, with a prognosis worse than most cancers. In advanced heart failure cardiac transplant may be an option, but this is limited to around 9,000 worldwide due to lack of donor availability. Patients awaiting heart transplant may be supported by a small electromechanical pump placed beside their own heart – a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). While LVADs can be life saving they have one major drawback – their high power requirement necessitates a cable or driveline passing through the skin to external batteries. The driveline frequently becomes infected, requiring hospital admission, antibiotic therapy and surgical revision. Patient quality of life is significantly affected. There are considerable healthcare costs and LVAD lifespan is shortened.
The Galvani wireless power platform uses thin, flexible coils. We have completed in silico, benchtop and preclinical evaluations proving our technology can deliver wireless power at relevant levels. Our technology is patent protected in all markets including US. Galvani will eliminate the driveline. Driveline complications in particular infection will no longer occur, reducing healthcare costs. Patient quality of life will improve. LVAD lifespan will be doubled.
Who and where are your potential customers?
Our customers include the growing number of manufacturers producing or developing LVADs and total artificial hearts (TAHs). We aim to be the platform for all high power requirement implanted medical devices.
What do you think is the potential for your business?
Galvani TECH will be a supplier and license partner for the growing LVAD market ($4.1B revenue, 15.2% CAGR). All currently available LVADs require a driveline. By eliminating the driveline Galvani TECH will become a platform technology for all high power medical implantable devices. Galvani TECH will grow the LVAD market.
Where do you hope to be 5 years from now?
In five years we will have completed early feasibility studies. We will have obtained CE mark and FDA approval. We will have secured partnerships with LVAD industry partners. We will then expand indications and grow our licensing pipeline.
Follow Galvani TECH on LinkedIn.