Innovation support sets stage for smart catheter pioneer’s business growth

Fixit Medical addresses the common challenge of securing catheters used to drain fluid or relieve blockages in the body. Traditional plaster-based solutions often fail, leading to dislodgement, increased risks of infection and higher healthcare costs.

Fixit Medical’s innovative Cingo device, shifts the pressure away from the catheter, ensuring stronger and more reliable support. Its waterproof and reusable features enhance patient independence and reduce the need for frequent replacements, saving healthcare providers time and resources.

“Cingo’s secure, long-lasting design allows the device to remain in place for up to two weeks, reducing redressing frequency and saving healthcare professionals valuable time,” explains Paul Johnson, Project Lead at Fixit Medical. “This also empowers patients to better manage the device at home, improving their independence and quality of life.”

Strengthening innovation management

Fixit Medical’s journey with Innovate UK began in early 2024, when Innovation and Growth Specialist Jayne Bradford, in collaboration with the company, developed a tailored action plan to support its growth. A key focus of this plan was strengthening IP protection, accomplished by participating in Innovate UK Business Growth’s IP Advance scheme, delivered by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

The first step was to undergo an IP Audit, part of the IP Advance scheme. “Safeguarding intellectual property is critical in the MedTech sector,” explains Peter Solomon, Head of Operations at Fixit Medical. “The IP Audit outlined our position and provided a clear path to strengthen it.”

With guidance from Innovate UK Business Growth, Fixit Medical was able to apply for IP access funding to implement the recommendations of the IP Audit, which included conducting a Freedom to Operate analysis and securing IP insurance. These steps established a robust foundation, supporting the company’s progress toward regulatory approval, market entry and further funding opportunities.

The company also participated in Innovate UK Business Growth’s Design for Growth initiative, which provided expert one-to-one coaching to refine its branding, product design and market preparation.
Mr Solomon says: “The programme delivered exceptional value. It sharpened our approach to branding and marketing while enhancing the design of Cingo itself. Sharing insights with other innovators was an invaluable aspect of the experience.”

Additionally, Innovate UK Business Growth’s Research and Technology Organisation (RTO)/Catapult grant enabled Fixit Medical to collaborate with Warwick University and utilise its state-of-the-art research facilities, refining the Cingo prototype.

Mr Johnson adds: “Collaborating with dedicated engineers has refined our prototype and improved its mouldability. This ensures that when we invest in hard tooling, we’ll achieve optimal results on the first attempt, saving both time and capital.”

The £270,000 Innovate UK Grant is providing critical funding to advance the development of Fixit Medical’s percutaneous (made through the skin) drainage catheter fixation technology. It is supporting key areas such as product refinement, regulatory preparation and early-stage manufacturing validation. The grant is also enabling further intellectual property development and clinical engagement, ensuring the device will meet the necessary standards for market entry.

Driving investment and internationalisation readiness

Fixit Medical further prepared for its upcoming funding round by participating in Innovate UK’s Invest-Ability Intensive Training. This initiative provided intensive training in the fundamentals of investment readiness and practical opportunities to perfect its investor pitch.

Mr Johnson explains: “The training is really making me think critically about how we articulate our value proposition and vision to potential investors. The feedback and real-world pitching opportunities have been transformative.”

While Fixit Medical’s innovations will first address UK healthcare challenges, they also have the potential for a global impact. With Innovate UK Business Growth’s guidance, the company has ensured its product is scalable and suitable for international markets.

Cingo’s waterproof and reusable features, combined with its robust design, address universal needs in catheter care, making it an attractive solution for healthcare providers worldwide. The company plans to expand internationally, targeting the US and Europe, with a collaboration profile currently live to find a manufacturing partner in Europe, supported by Innovate UK.

Impacting patients and the economy

Fixit Medical’s work highlights how innovation can solve real-world problems, improve patient care, and strengthen the UK economy. With targeted business growth support from Innovate UK, the company has developed a product that benefits healthcare providers, patients and wider society.

Fixit Medical has continued to build momentum, securing additional intellectual property protection and expanding its patent portfolio. It has also secured further funding through the MARRS programme, specifically designed to give extra support in the regulatory space.

Mr Johnson concludes: “We are so grateful to Innovate UK Business Growth and all the support we have been given, which has turbocharged our progress through this phase of our product development.

“We are delighted with the progress we have made as a result, and everyone in the company is very excited and confident about the path ahead.”

We are so grateful to Innovate UK Business Growth and all the support we have been given, which has turbocharged our progress through this phase of our product development.

– Paul Johnson, Project Lead at Fixit Medical