Delivering advanced therapies safely to deep brain structures
Technology Investment FundParkinson’s Disease affects millions worldwide, with current treatments showing limited efficacy, while cutting-edge cell therapies are held back by challenges in delivering them safely and effectively to the brain.
SpiraMed is a novel, single-pass delivery device designed to transform the surgical delivery of cell therapies, reducing risk, time and cost while improving patient outcomes.
Developed by Drs Harry Bulstrode and Adam Young at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, SpiraMed enables rapid, targeted delivery of therapeutics to deep brain structures through a single needle pass.
Unlike conventional methods requiring multiple lengthy procedures and needle passes, SpiraMed’s helical catheter design allows for broad coverage of the target area in one operation, significantly reducing surgical time and risk of complications. The device maintains high cell viability, minimises reflux and is scalable for routine clinical use, paving the way for wider access to advanced therapies for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.
“Without TIF funding, we would still be building prototypes with garden wire in Adam’s shed. With TIF funding, we have fully operational Generation 1 and Generation 2 SpiraMed prototypes - proven for single-pass cell and gene therapy delivery in the lab and in large animal models.”
Dr Bulstrode continued:
“We can now see the path to first-in-man application, and from there to better treatments across a spectrum of brain diseases.”
Since its inception, the project has achieved several key milestones including the development of Gen 1 and Gen 2 prototypes, successful validation of the device’s performance in laboratory models and the filing of a UK patent in August 2024 which has since entered into PCT. The latest prototype demonstrates predictable deployment, high cell viability and minimal reflux, supported by preliminary in vivo safety data in a large animal model, marking significant progress towards clinical application.
SpiraMed has received funding from the Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and our Technology Investment Fund (TIF), supporting the team with development, hardware refinements, regulatory engagement and large animal trials. The team then aims to explore options for securing industry partnerships and regulatory approvals to bring SpiraMed to market, while continuing to assess the commercialisation pathways available, with the device’s platform potentially extending beyond Parkinson’s Disease to applications in other neurological and systemic conditions.
