Florida Institute Funds Delray Beach-based Powers Medical Devices
Company Addressing Life-threatening Challenges Faced by Babies Born Prematurely
Gainesville and Boca Raton, FL – August 11, 2014 - The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with Powers Medical Devices, LLC , a Delray Beach-based medical device company that develops therapeutic and diagnostic feedback sensor products to address the nutritional and distress tolerance needs of preterm, full term and critical care infants. The Institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for companies spinning out of Florida-based universities and research institutions.
Powers Medical Devices, with technology licensed from Florida State University, has developed the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL®) system that encourages and reinforces the development of a premature infant’s ability to suck productively and feed successfully. PAL incorporates sophisticated algorithms, feedback sensor technology and the comfort of music.
In the United States, approximately 500,000 infants are born prematurely every year. “Premature infants come into this world before they have a chance to achieve a major developmental milestone on which their survival depends – the ability to feed,” said company Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Palmer. The PAL®, a FDA-cleared medical device, addresses this problem by promoting the development of the premature infant’s ability to suck efficiently, and feed with improved quality.
Clinical studies and scientific research have shown that premature infants receiving PAL® therapy experience:
• Earlier removal of feeding tubes
• Earlier transition to oral feeding
• More rapid weight gain
• Decreased stress
"Powers is addressing serious issues facing babies who are born prematurely,” said Jamie Grooms, Institute Chief Executive Officer. “The FDA-cleared PAL® system not only encourages and reinforces proper feeding skills but also diminishes behavioral stress, resulting in improved overall well-being for infants and their families."
About the Institute
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Institute for Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida’s state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. Over 100 new company projects have been identified across the state, and in the Institute deploys both company building and company funding programs to promising Florida companies. Thirty-two companies have been funded since the program’s inception.
About Powers Medical Devices, LLC
Powers Medical Devices, LLC is a medical device company that develops therapeutic and diagnostic feedback sensor products to address the nutritional and distress tolerance (soothing) needs of preterm, full term, and critical care infants. With technology licensed from Florida State University the company has developed the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL®). The PAL® system is presently being utilized in a number of hospitals for premature infants with feeding issues and for the soothing of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) babies.