CPI Enterprises, a specialist investor supporting businesses to bring innovative technologies to market, has announced its latest investment is with Alderley Park based biotechnology firm, QV Bioelectronics.
The investor will work with biotech start-up to bring its GRACE implanted Electric Field Therapy (EFT) product to market to treat one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. The medical device delivers electrical fields at specific frequencies to interrupt cancer cell division, and for their first indication, QV Bioelectronics will target glioblastoma, which currently has just a 3% five-year survival rate despite an intensive current treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
CPI’s HealthTech team is working with QV Bioelectronics on their technology to ensure the advanced materials can safely deliver the best treatment possible for patients, without impacting patient quality of life.
Ian Smith, Head of Investor Partnerships at CPI Enterprises, said:
“We originally met with Chris in 2021 where we saw the potential in the management team, vision and alignment to CPI’s capabilities. After a conversation, CPI we’re perfect example of how CPI works with SMEs through their innovation journey. We began working with QV in the development of the device on the brain process and we’re continuing our journey together by supporting them.
“I’m delighted CPI is able to extend our investor relationship with QV by collaborating with the company to scale-up new technology that will create a novel life science technology in the brain tumour sector. It’s fantastic that the impact of this technology and QVs’ high growth potential has also been recognised by CPI Enterprises with this investment.’’
Hannah Wade, Managing Director of CPI Enterprises said:
“QV Bioelectronics are developing a product which has the potential to make a huge difference to people affected by brain tumours, improving their chances of long-term survival and their quality of life throughout their treatment. This product could represent a huge breakthrough because there have been no successful stage 3 clinical trials on new products for over 20 years. We believe this product has the potential to do just that, and that’s why we have invested in this potentially ground-breaking treatment.
“CPI has worked in collaboration with the business on several projects to accelerate their innovation journey. Chris and the management team have built an impressive business and we are delighted to support the business as it enters a new phase of growth.”
Chris Bullock, Chief Executive Officer at QV Bioelectronics, said:
“At QV Bioelectronics, we are striving to deliver longer, better quality lives for brain tumour patients. Our technology aims to help address an unmet clinical need for people suffering with glioblastoma. The GRACE implant aims to significantly extend the life expectancy of patients without impacting quality of life.
“Developing new treatments and therapies is costly, and in order to get innovative products to market we need a collaborative effort. As such, we are delighted that CPI, as a world leader in innovation, has joined our other high-quality investors to further accelerate our commercial and technology traction.”
