Start-up secures funding to develop gut device

A Midlands medical technology start-up has secured £1.6 million to trial an innovative device that could transform the way gut health is monitored and treated.

Ademen Ltd has received the funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to test the safety and effectiveness of its acoustic gut monitoring technology, which listens to and analyses bowel activity to provide clinicians with objective data.

If successful, the device could improve the monitoring of patients recovering from surgery and, in time, support the earlier detection of abdominal conditions, helping to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

The award follows support from the University of Warwick Science Park’s Ignite incubation programme and its alumni network, which helped the business secure early projects and refine its commercial strategy.

Originally developed as a digital stethoscope for the veterinary sector, the technology was later adapted for human healthcare after guidance from mentors and industry experts.

Alistair Foster, co-founder of Ademen, said: “This award is a huge moment for us.

“For too long clinicians have had to rely on subjective descriptions and overcoming language barriers to assess gut health.

“Our device could change all that.

“To see our technology move from helping vets to potentially supporting doctors and patients in hospitals is incredibly exciting.

“The support from the Science Park and advice from members of the Ignite Alumni Network gave us the confidence to think bigger and find the right home for what we had developed.”

The NIHR-funded studies will run until November 2028, assessing the device’s safety and reliability in real-world clinical settings.

By providing measurable insights into gut activity, Ademen hopes its technology will reduce reliance on subjective symptom reporting and give healthcare professionals a clearer picture of patients’ digestive health.

Advice and mentoring played a key role in helping the company reposition its innovation from animal health to a potentially far-reaching medical application.

Dirk Schaefer, incubator manager at the University of Warwick Science Park, added: “Ademen is a brilliant example of what can happen when start-ups adapt and listen to the market.

“The team came to us with really exciting technology and a lot of ambition.

“But it is listening to advice from our business support team and fellow members of the Ignite Alumni Network that has helped them reach this position.

“We’re so pleased Ademen’s hard work has been rewarded with this award.”

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