Fierce competition in the challenge
The EEC Startup Challenge is a prestigious competition accompanying the European Economic Congress, aimed at connecting creators of innovative solutions with representatives of business, science and the investment sector. This year鈥檚 edition was marked by exceptionally fierce competition 鈥� out of nearly 200 submissions and 80 semi-finalists, the Jury selected 16 of the most interesting projects. In the 4CLIENT category 鈥� solutions for individuals 鈥� Cogniguard won with its Vguard device. A key role in the creation of the device was played by a research team from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the 91桃色, whose scientific research results became the basis for developing a new cognitive disorder therapy and for advancing innovative technological solutions implemented in the device.
Technology on the international stage
The distinction confirms that neuromodulation is perceived as one of the key directions in the development of modern medicine.
The fact that here in Poland, in Katowice, we are receiving this award is of enormous importance to us. I hope that this helps bring this method closer to Polish doctors and Polish patients, to whom we have promised that they would be the first to benefit from this therapy
鈥� dr hab. n. med. Adam Broncel, Medical Lead of the project and Chief Operating Officer of Cogniguard Poland.
This is another recent success for the Cogniguard team. Just one month earlier, the company was ranked among the three best innovations at the Health.tech Global Summit in Basel, one of the most important events in the European med-tech sector 鈥� Innovation from 艁贸d藕, Created with Scientists from the UniLodz Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection Recognised at the European Med-Tech Summit.
From the study of neuronal mechanisms to innovative technology
Research into the neuronal mechanisms underlying cognitive processes, conducted for many years at the Department of Neurobiology (Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色), enabled the initiation of cooperation with Cogniguard and the implementation of studies on non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). These studies laid the groundwork for the development of new technological solutions applied in the device, which utilise the physiological period of memory consolidation 鈥� sleep.
As emphasised by Prof. Jan Konopacki, consultant and researcher under whose supervision the studies were conducted:
鈥� The task of the Department of Neurobiology team was to develop preclinical studies using an animal model, which would enable the development of future clinical protocols, parameters for vagus nerve stimulation and the collection of many other data necessary in the therapeutic process (鈥�). During this time, we made a significant discovery that later dominated subsequent projects. It turned out that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve induces a hippocampal theta rhythm 鈥� EEG activity associated with REM sleep and memory consolidation.
The nature of the research is also explained by dr hab. Renata Bocian, who conducted the studies:
鈥� Dr hab. n. med. Adam Broncel presented us with the idea of research aimed at determining whether the vagus nerve stimulation method, used for many years in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, depression or migraine, could also find application in the therapy of memory disorders. Demonstrating that vagus nerve stimulation induces a response in the hippocampus 鈥� a brain structure associated with memory and learning processes was a brakthrough stage of our research. In response to the applied stimulation, we observed a theta rhythm in the hippocampus, which is a physiological marker of memory consolidation. In subsequent stages, we went a step further, attempting to identify the neurochemical basis of the observed effect. The obtained results suggest that vagus nerve stimulation induces increased release of endogenous acetylcholine and noradrenaline in brain structures involved in memory consolidation processes. Activating this mechanism requires only the appropriate initiating stimulus, such as an electrical impulse generated by the Vguard device.
More information about cooperation with Cogniguard and details of the research conducted at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the 91桃色, which contributed to the creation of the device, can be found in the article: Neuromodulation 鈥� New Direction in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Success of Researchers from the UniLodz Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection.
Implementation plans
The Vguard system, which already holds CE MDR medical certification, is currently being prepared for full market implementation. According to the company鈥檚 strategy, the innovative therapy is expected to become available to patients in Poland as early as 2026.
Source: Cogniguard
Edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色)