ReliefBand Technologies has raised $5 million in an initial founder round led by PathoCapital, the specialty healthcare fund headed by former Baxter Healthcare and Ovation Pharmaceuticals CEO – Bill Gantz. The capital will be used for market introduction of ReliefBand, an FDA cleared wearable device for the drug-free treatment of nausea.
Established in July 2015, ReliefBand Technologies developed a wearable device that goes beyond basic monitoring to actually treat, alleviate and help with conditions. In particular, the ReliefBand alleviates nausea and vomiting associated with morning and motion sickness.
The device uses accurately programmed pulses with highly specific waveform, frequency, and intensity to stimulate the median nerve on the underside of the wrist. This precise activity tunes into body’s natural neural pathways to block the waves of nausea produced by the stomach, providing a safe non-drug solution without any of the safety concerns or side effects. Users simply slip ReliefBand onto their wrist, adjust the intensity to suit their individual needs and within minutes will be feeling themselves again.
ReliefBand uses accurately programmed pulses with highly specific waveform, frequency, and intensity to stimulate the median nerve on the underside of the wrist.“With 70% of women experiencing morning sickness during pregnancy and more than 60 million people suffering from motion sickness, ReliefBand is fulfilling a very large unmet need,” said Nick Spring, CEO, ReliefBand Technologies. “As such, interest in the device that can treat the condition without any side effects has been overwhelming from investors, the medical community, retailers and consumers alike.”
The ReliefBand is expected to start selling early next year with an MSRP of $89.99.
Another device trying to remove pain-killers from the picture is Quell, which unlike ReliefBand, is designed to be worn just below the knee and is used to fight chronic pain, such as due to diabetes, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and degenerative knee conditions.