Cambridge fund backs pain

Cambridge University Challenge Fund is investing GBP250,000 in Coolanalgesia; a company that is developing a device that will “revolutionise” pain reduction during surgical procedures.

Coolanalgesia has been set up by dermatologist Dr Ian Whitcroft and Dr Richard McMahon from the University of Cambridge engineering department. The company has taken its product, which reduces pain during laser treatment procedures, through trials that indicate there is no need for local or general anesthetics during delicate skin surgery.

The University Challenge Fund investment will fund further trials and up to the product-approval stage by the middle of next year. “The potential of this device to transform the experience of patients undergoing skin treatment is enormous,” said Dr McMahon.