Likvor presents revolutionary technology

LinkMed’s portfolio company Likvor AB is presenting revolutionary technology, that facilitates better and a more accurate diagnosis of idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, at the international Hydrocephalus 2008 congress in Hanover, September 17- 20. The technology can help patients suffering from dementia, balance and gait disturbances to go back to normal life. The instrument can also be used to control whether or not a shunt implant is functioning properly.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological condition caused by disturbances in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found in the cavity of the brain and spinal cord canal. The main clinical features of NPH are balance and gait disturbances, dementia and urinary incontinence. The most common form of NPH is Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (INPH), which is primarily found in elderly patients and is often incorrectly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. INPH is a potentially reversible disorder, which means that patients who receive the correct diagnosis and treatment can return to normal life. The condition can be treated by surgically implanting a shunt into the brain to regulate CSF pressure and flow.

More secure diagnosis
Likvor’s tool is the is first commercially available instrument that can safely and successfully measure the pressure, flow and conductance of CSF. The tool will facilitate the diagnosis of INPH and control whether the shunt implant functionality. The technology behind Likvor’s tool is based on more than 30 years of clinical research at Norrland’s University Hospital and Umeå University. Likvor’s instrument is currently being tested in an independent multicenter trial at six university hospitals in the Nordic region.

Large market
The calculation of INPH patient volume is based on the prevalence of dementia. It is estimated that around 9 percent of the population over 65 years of age suffer from dementia and of these up to 10 percent in actual fact suffering from INPH. In Europe, North America and Japan this is equivalent to around 1.4 million people. Likvor’s tool enables patients to be correctly diagnosed and thereby receive the right treatment, resulting in great benefits primarily for the patient but also for society.

Hydrocephalus 2008 (www.hydrocephalus2008.com) is the main international congress in this scientific field, which this year is being held in Hanover from September 17-20. Likvor’s tool will be CE marked in autumn 2008 and will be available on the market from the beginning of 2009. Likvor AB was established in early 2007 at which time the company acquired all the rights to the instrument as well as related patents from the researchers behind the technology. Likvor’s principal owners are Uminova Invest and LinkMed, both with 49 percent of share capital. For more information about Likvor visit www.likvor.com.



For more information contact:
Kjell Öberg, CEO Likvor
tel. +46 90 15 48 94

Okee Williams, Portfolio Manager LinkMed,
tel. +46 8 508 93 940