Global Kinetics raises more than $14 million to bring its Parkinson’s wearable to the US

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Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 3 June 2015

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Australian health technology company Global Kinetics Corporation (GKC) has raised AUD$14.8 million to expand its Parkinson’s technology to the US after it was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.

The company’s lead device, the Parkinson’s KinetiGraph, is worn on the patient’s wrist and records movement data – which can then be analysed remotely by clinicians – as well as reminding users when to take their medication.

Andrew Maxwell, managing director of GKC, said: “The first thing we set out to do was to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s.”

The technology was previously available to approximately 50,000 people with Parkinson’s, but the move will increase that number to 1 million.

“We are delivering on our vision to make measurable change to Parkinson’s disease globally,” Maxwell added.

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Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, will investigate genes that could protect cells in the brain against Parkinson’s disease. An award from US non-profit G Harold and Leila Y Mathers Foundation will allow scientists to use a mouse model screening technique to find out more about the condition. Individually deleting each of the 22,000 genes present in mice neurons will help identify which genes are linked to neuron survival – and offer insights that could lead to new treatments for the condition. Dr Myriam Heiman, an Associate Professor at MIT, said: “There is currently no molecular explanation for the brain cell loss seen in Parkinson’s disease or a cure for this devastating disease. I’m extremely grateful for this generous support and recognition of our work from the Mathers Foundation, and hope that our study will elucidate new therapeutic targets for the treatment and even prevention of Parkinson’s…

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Global Kinetics raises more than $14 million to bring its Parkinson’s wearable to the US

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 3 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Europe

“A fundamental change in medical culture” is needed

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Can equine-assisted therapy benefit people with Parkinson’s disease?

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Global Kinetics raises more than $14 million to bring its Parkinson’s wearable to the US

News

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 3 June 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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“A fundamental change in medical culture” is needed

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