Wareologie™, a bootstrapped startup, has successfully integrated innovative rehabilitation technology into major healthcare systems, culminating in the acquisition of its intellectual property (IP) by a leading global medical distributor. This article chronicles the journey of Wareologie™, highlighting the pivotal moments, strategic collaborations, and technological advancements that contributed to its success.
Introduction
The healthcare industry faces continuous challenges, including the need for effective patient handling and mobility solutions. Wareologie™, Inc., a woman-owned company based in Southfield, MI, has developed a groundbreaking approach to address these challenges. This article explores how Wareologie™ leveraged emerging technologies, strategic partnerships, and rigorous user-centered design to revolutionize patient care.
The Problem and the Solution
Wareologie™ identified a critical $34 billion problem in healthcare related to patient falls, handling, and mobility. The company’s mission is to assist individuals suffering from degenerative illnesses and those recovering from surgeries by designing rehabilitation tools. Their flagship product, portable parallel bars, enables physical therapy in various settings, enhancing patient outcomes with early mobility access in an attempt to reduce the incidence of hospital-induced deconditioning.
Methodology
The development of Wareologie™’s portable parallel bars was guided by extensive user-experience research and collaboration with clinicians. The design process emphasized safety, portability, and ease of use, resulting in a lightweight, foldable device on wheels. This innovative solution allows therapists to administer standing and balancing treatments safely, anywhere within a hospital facility or at home. Jill Yano, PT, DPT, CSPHC from Stanford Health Care explains “This is a game changer, I feel more comfortable getting a patient up with this device and have only received positive feedback”. By using the portable parallel bars, clinicians no longer need to stabilize the walker, allowing patients to independently stabilize themselves, thereby enhancing safety and fostering patient empowerment.
Collaborations and Funding
Key to Wareologie™’s success was the support from various organizations and funding sources:
- Veterans Health Administration Innovation Network (VHA iNet) provided a Greenhouse contract and subject matter experts.
- Lawrence Technological University Centrepolis Accelerator and The Bachelor of Science and Nursing School provided initial guidance and resources.
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Business Accelerator Funding (BAF) grant contributed $50,000.
- Friends and Family (F&F) investments totaling $285,000 facilitated early development stages.
- HA Industries in Sterling Heights, MI, played a crucial role in building the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
Pandemic-Inspired Innovation
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred Wareologie™ to design the world’s first mobile parallel bar tool, targeting quarantined patients in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). This initiative led to a Greenhouse contract from the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Network (VHA iNet), accelerating the project’s prototype phase with direct input from physical and occupational therapist subject matter experts.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Despite a significant setback when a 100-unit order was pulled by the VA due to budgetary cuts, Wareologie™ secured additional F&F investments. The prototype collaboration with Global Tech Ventures ensured high-performance and aesthetically pleasing initial designs. The company launched the FDA Class 1 exempt portable parallel bars MVP with HA Industries and released the first products in Q1 2023.
Intellectual Property and Market Penetration
Securing patents was instrumental in protecting Wareologie™’s innovations. With the expertise of Aurora Patents, Wareologie™ obtained IP claims in the US, Europe, Canada, and the UAE. This protection enabled the company to scale and eventually sell its IP in July 2024.
Wareologie™ effectively marketed its products through a strategic combination of direct outreach, live virtual demonstrations, and comprehensive evaluations, alongside participation in major rehabilitation and Safe Patient Handling conferences. Despite being a small team of two, supported intermittently by contractors, their relentless efforts successfully garnered the interest and trust of clinicians. Consequently, the portable parallel bars have been adopted by prominent healthcare providers, including the VA, and large private hospital institutions including Stanford Health Care, Thomas Jefferson Hospital, and Gaylord Specialty Healthcare. This versatile tool is now seamlessly integrated into patient care across various settings, including ICU, acute care, pediatrics, amputee rehabilitation, spinal cord injury (SCI) units, and outpatient facilities.
Conclusion
Wareologie™’s journey underscores the challenges and triumphs of bringing a medical device from concept to market. Despite difficulties in securing traditional venture capital nor state-funded foundations, the company’s persistence and strategic alliances led to a successful IP acquisition. Wareologie™’s innovations will continue to benefit healthcare providers and patients worldwide, with a new product version slated to debut in Q1 2025.
Acknowledgments This achievement would not have been possible without the contributions of LTU Centrepolis Accelerator, MEDC, HA Industries, Global Tech Ventures, Aurora Patents, and VHA iNet. Special recognition goes to the founder, Gina Adams, and teammate Peter Makarov, for their extraordinary perseverance.
The article is featured in BioMatter Fall 2024 report. Read the magazine here https://issuu.com/michbio/docs/fall-24_biomatters_med_dev_e-pub_1_