Cochlear hooks up with continence control company

A University of Melbourne spin-off and pioneering bionic ear company Cochlear have joined forces to develop a treatment for severe incontinence.

Continence Control Systems (CCS) is planning to combine the innovative research conducted by University of Melbourne researcher Prof John Furness with Cochlear's expertise in developing implantable electrical stimulators.

"Incontinence is a big problem, particularly after prostate surgery in men and in menopausal women after childbirth," Furness told Australian Biotechnology News recently.

Two million Australians suffer incontinence problems, he said, with a potential worldwide market of AUD$1 billion annually.

Existing prosthetic devices, according to Furness, have problems with leakage, failure and adverse tissue reactions.

The unique concept invented by Furness and his colleagues has two components -- a replacement sphincter muscle and an implanted electrical stimulator to allow urine to be passed.

"We realised that we could use the patient's own muscle [to make a replacement sphincter], but we wanted a discreet way to control it," Furness said. The patented concept has been successfully tested in animals using an external stimulator to control the urine flow.

Cochlear's contribution to the venture is to adapt its electrostimulation technology platform, used in its bionic ear, to an implantable stimulator that can be used to control the device. The technology will be made available to CCS through an exclusive supply agreement.

"We had hoped to work with an Australian company to develop the device, and we knew Cochlear had the technology for long-lived implanted devices," said Furness.

CCS is now looking to raise around $8 million to complete the development of the device and take it into clinical trials.

"We've allowed ourselves a bit over a year to get through those hurdles," said Furness. He said it would be around five years before the product was ready for the market.

Melbourne-based boutique investment bank Nextec BioSciences is conducting the capital raising for the company.