Real-time mapping of ultrasound-activated bubbles in the body IBME, University of Oxford

Researchers at the University of Oxford develop and patent Passive Acoustic Mapping, the first method that makes it possible to detect, localize and monitor ultrasound-activated bubbles (acoustic cavitation) during ultrasound treatment at depth within the body. This paves the way for translation of cavitation-based therapies to the clinic by providing an essential tool for real-time treatment monitoring. A patent, now granted, is filed in 2008.

Tissue fractionation with pre-injected ultrasound-activated bubbles IBME, University of Oxford

Researchers within the University demonstrate for the first time that fractionation of collagen within the spinal disc is possible using modest ultrasound pressures that can be safely delivered to the spine if bubbles are pre-injected at the centre of the disc. A patent, now granted, is filed in 2011.

Stabilisation of air nanobubbles on solid injectable sono-sensitive particles IBME, University of Oxford

Researchers at the University of Oxford develop a new method for stabilizing gas nanobubbles for injection by trapping them within solid cup-shaped particles (now called Sono-Sensitive Particles). This enables the reliable delivery of billions of stable, consistently sized air nanobubbles that survive the very steep pressures encountered in the intervertebral disc to seed sustained acoustic cavitation for tissue fractionation. These SSPs are successfully patented in late 2014.

Steerable ultrasound delivery to the spinal disc IBME, University of Oxford

Researchers at the University of Oxford develop a new type of modular ultrasound array specifically designed to enable delivery of ultrasound to the spine. The lego-like modular array makes it possible to overcome the barriers to ultrasound delivery presented by bone and to move the focus of the ultrasound beam within the disc without physically moving the array. Researchers work with the CT scans from numerous patients to establish the optimum design and prototype it. A patent application is filed in late 2016.

Incorporation of OrthoSon Ltd to Develop Ultrasound-Enhanced Spinal Therapies

OrthoSon raises £940K in pre-seed funding to secure the intellectual property and enable the development of the technology.

Appointment of OrthoSon CEO Rich Simmonds

Rich Simmonds appointed as Chief Executive Officer to develop the plan, recruit the team and negotiate the key supply agreements in preparation for the technology transfer from the Oxford University.

Award of £1.2m Innovate UK grant to OrthoSon

OrthoSon successfully secures £1.2M in non-dilutive grant funding to develop the fully functional prototype and perform its validation in preclinical models by 2020.

Secures £1.8m Seed Round

OrthoSon raises £1.8m in seed funding in November 2019 led by Oxford Technology and Innovations EIS Fund (OTIF) and its advisor Oxford Investment Consultants.

Innovate UK grant to further development of ultrasound technology in back pain

Injectable Hydrogel Combo.Oxford, UK, July 29 2020 – OrthoSon, an Oxford University spin-out which is developing a novel ultrasound-based treatment for lower back and neck pain, has been awarded a £250,000 extension to its £1.2m Biomedical Catalyst award. The extension, which will enable completion of the device prototype and generation of preclinical data, has been awarded under the COVID-19 Continuity Grant scheme provided by Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. The information and prototype generated under the Biomedical Catalyst grant will accelerate development of OrthoSon’s technology towards first-in-human trials. Its product is expected to restore spinal function as well as reduce pain in a way which is significantly safer, less invasive and more cost-effective than current surgical options, with reduced need for opioid-based pain relief. Download our press release here

In the Press - Medtech Insight

Start-Up Spotlight: OrthoSon Targets Back Pain With Ultrasound, Injectable Hydrogel Combo. Read the full article here.

OrthoSon's move to new premises

OrthoSon is pleased to announce its move to new premises at The Oxford Science Park. Read our press release here

OrthoSon appoints Mr. Nick Birch to the Board

OrthoSon is delighted to appoint Mr. Nick Birch as non-executive Director. Read our press release here.

Nick is a Consultant spinal specialist and has a particular expertise in diagnosing and treating complex pain and neurological disorders associated with the spine. With an interest in innovative solutions to treat spinal pain associated with disc degeneration, he has advised on the development of several bone and disc repair technologies. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a Fellow of the British Orthopaedic Association, and holds memberships of the British Associations of Spine Surgeons, the North American Spine Society and the Society for Back Pain Research.

ORTHOSON completes £8.9m expanded Series A to accelerate back pain treatment’s progress to clinic

Big Pi Ventures & Yonghua Capital are new international investors in expanded round

Oxford, UK, April 3 2022 – OrthoSon, which is developing novel motion-restoring minimally invasive treatments for low back pain, is pleased to announce completion of a £8.9m Series A fund round to help prepare its product for Phase I trials in the US. New international investors in this expanded round include the Greek technology venture capital firm Big Pi Ventures and the Chinese investment company Yonghua Capital. Plans for this investment include completion of preclinical safety studies, plus regulatory activity to prepare for US clinical trials expected to take place from 2025. This will be followed by European and international clinical trials supporting global launch. With the completion of this Series A fundraising, OrthoSon’s Board will be strengthened as Aristos Doxiadis, Partner at Big Pi Ventures, and Mr. Wang Chong, Venture Partner at Yonghua Capital, join as Director and Observer respectively. Existing investors also participated in the financing.

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ORTHOSON attends LSI Barcelona and launches Series B funding round

Oxford, UK, September 15, 2023

ORTHOSON, a medtech innovator developing a portfolio of novel treatments for back pain, today announced its team will attend the LSI EUROPE '23 Emerging Medtech Summit. The company announced the launch of its Series B funding round, following its successful Series A round 18 months ago, which raised £8.9 million.