4D Products ‘iTENS’ project was recently featured in the Medilink NW ‘update’ publication.
“New products could be set to appear on the shelves of Boots thanks to the highly successful innovation day designed by Medilink NW to offer enterprising businesses a unique opportunity to meet managers from the prestigious blue chip organisation.
Held in Nottingham in partnership with Medilink East Midlands, the event provided an opportunity for delegates to hear directly from the Boots team about their focus in consumer healthcare in the short to medium term.
A number of businesses had also applied for 1-to-1 sessions with Boots staff and six from the North West were selected. One of these was start-up company, iTENS Ltd, which presented an innovative technology in the field of pain management. Medilink NW is closely involved with the company with an advisory role, acting as non executive director of its board, sitting alongside representatives from majority shareholders 4D Products Ltd.
The new technology originated from an internal project at 4D’s product design studio and the company is currently applying for further grant funding for a one year collaborative Research & Development phase, bringing together expertise in material science, physiotherapy, and design.
The Boots team was impressed by the innovative concept of the system, and expressed an interest in retailing the range of products when they become available.
Said iTENS and 4D Products director Iain McCall
‘The Medilink-organised event was a great opportunity to get face-to-face with a market leading organisation. We were at a relatively early stage in the R&D process, but were able to sit around a table with influential members of the Boots development team, who were very positive about our technology and full of useful advice.’
iTENS was invited to another meeting with Boots in May 2010 where they met with members of the OTC medicines team and updated them on progress since the initial meeting. Again, the feedback was really positive, and some useful suggestions were made regarding the commercial strategy moving forward. Ongoing communication with the Boots team will allow their expertise to be accessed to aid the development of what they have described as a ‘gem of an idea’.”
