NeuroBell secures €2.1m for neonatal seizure tech
NeuroBell announced its spin-out from University College Cork and the closure of a €2.1 million investment round led by Furthr VC, Atlantic Bridge, and HBAN MedTech Syndicate. The funding included participation from Enterprise Ireland and other private investors. The funding will enable NeuroBell to launch its technology for real-time detection of seizures in newborns needing additional care, enabling early intervention that can improve outcomes.
To support its expansion, NeuroBell will create 12 new jobs by 2025.
Founded by Dr Mark O’Sullivan, Dr Alison O’Shea and Colm Murphy, and a spin-out from University College Cork and the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (Infant), NeuroBell aims to address a critical gap in the availability and accuracy of current technologies used to detect seizures in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Early detection of seizures is crucial for enabling early interventions in infants with brain injury and may help reduce the impact of life-changing conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
NeuroBell, founded by Dr. Mark O’Sullivan, Dr. Alison O’Shea, and Colm Murphy as a spin-out from University College Cork and the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, focusing on addressing gaps in current seizure detection technologies for newborns in NICU.
Supported by the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund, NeuroBell is focused on securing FDA approval before launching its device in the US market in 2024, followed by the European market.
The funding will enable NeuroBell to expand its team, with roles in engineering, quality assurance, and business development. The company expects to begin commercial sales of its medical device in 2025.
Dr Mark O’Sullivan, co-founder, NeuroBell, said: “This funding marks a significant leap forward in advancing our goal to launch the product and get it into the hands of clinicians around the world to help newborn patients. It speaks volumes about our incredible team, who are passionate about using novel technologies to solve this critical medical need. Our solution will improve newborn care, offering gold standard brain monitoring with automated decision support to patients in all settings, including regional and tertiary hospitals.”
Richard Watson, managing partner, Furthr VC, said: “We are highly impressed by the founding team and what they have achieved to date in UCC prior to spinning out. They have a very clear regulatory, clinical and commercial plan for launching the product, and I’m really look forward to working closely with them on this journey.”
Dr Sally Cudmore, director, UCC Innovation, said: “The significant investment that the team has secured is testament to a strong leadership team and innovative technology. As a Limited Partner in the University Fund II managed by Atlantic Bridge, UCC is delighted to see that fund invest in NeuroBell and their mission to develop technology that will have a significant impact on newborns’ brain health.”
Prof Geraldine Boylan, Infant director, said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of the NeuroBell team and congratulate them warmly on this exciting milestone and significant investment. As the Infant centre turns 10 years old, NeuroBell clearly demonstrates how years of multi-disciplinary research combining engineering, neuroscience and neonatology can be translated into innovative devices to help identify newborn babies at risk of seizures.”
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