RXB.L Regulatory News (RXB)

Rex Bionics plc

("Rex Bionics" or the "Company")

 Rex Bionics plc and The University Hospitals, Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust sign a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential use of the REX Robot in the Critical Care setting

6 May, 2015, Rex Bionics plc, (RXB) the pioneer of the REX Robot technology that enhances the mobility of wheelchair users, and The University Hospitals, Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential use of the REX Robot in the Critical Care setting. Critical (or 'Intensive') Care medicine is the treatment of critically ill, injured or post-operative patients requiring intensive treatment, nursing and monitoring. 

Muscle mass has been shown to decrease at a rate of between 2-4% a day during the first two weeks following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and the benefits of early mobilisation, in terms of mobility at ICU discharge, length of stay (ICU and hospital) and in-hospital mortality, are well-documented.

This is an entirely new field for Rex as the patients will not typically have a spinal cord injury or be using a wheelchair at the time of treatment. Rather the programme will build on Rex's concept of Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy. The company estimates that there are at least 5,000 critical care units in hospitals in the United States (and 200 neuro-rehabilitation clinics, where patients requiring spinal cord rehabilitation are typically treated).

The collaborative programme will involve the creation of new Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy treatment protocols and potentially the development of additional robot system functionality and intellectual property. An important milestone will be the start of a clinical evaluation, possibly as early as 2016. The focus of the programme will be on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy in comparison with the treatment protocols currently in use. 

Dr Tom Clutton-Brock, Senior Lecturer in Critical Care, Director of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Trauma Management Health Technology Cooperative and the clinical lead for the collaboration and said: "This is a unique opportunity for us to explore the use of novel technology in the rehabilitation of this challenging group of patients. It has the potential not only to reduce length of stay and its associated costs but also to significantly impact on many aspects of patient outcomes."

The company's commercialisation priority remains the market for wheelchair users with spinal cord injury; but this programme, and others in preparation, will form a part of a broader portfolio of programmes in other fields of medicine where Rex Bionics' concept of Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy can improve outcomes and reduce costs. 

For further information please contact:

Rex Bionics Plc

Crispin Simon, Chief Executive Officer

+44 (0) 748 3 167851

Peter Worrall, Chief Financial Officer

+44 (0) 142 864 5416

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (NOMAD and Broker)

Jonathan Senior/Giles Balleny

+44 (0) 20 7710 7600

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott / Jessica Hodgson / Chris Welsh / Lindsey Neville

rexbionics@consilium-comms.com

+44 (0) 203 709 5700

About Rex Bionics

Rex Bionics (AIM: RXB) is the UK AIM-listed pioneer of the REX Robot that enhances the mobility of wheel-chair users. Founded in Auckland, New Zealand by two robotics engineers with first-hand experience of wheelchair users and their needs, Rex Bionics is working with physiotherapists to develop the practice of Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy (RAP). In a session of RAP, REX lifts patients from a sitting position into a robot-supported standing position, allowing them to take part in a set of supported walking and stretching exercises, designed by specialist physiotherapists. 

Wheelchair users are at risk of developing numerous medical complications from extended periods of sitting. By enabling them to spend more time standing, walking and exercising, REX may offer significant health benefits, including improved sleep, cardiovascular performance, maintenance of joint range, and a reduction in common abdominal problems and prescription drug use. A programme of clinical trials is now under way to evaluate these potential benefits. 

REX can be used by people with complete spinal cord injury, as well as people who have suffered a stroke or other traumatic brain injury; and people with multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. REX P, for use in the home, enables users to walk and stand with their hands free - providing more work and recreation options. 

In May 2014, Rex Bionics joined AIM with a fundraising of £10 million (gross) to scale up production, distribution and marketing internationally, in order to support growing demand for both REX products as well as developing the next generation of REX devices, REX 3.

REX is not approved for At-Home use in the United States of America.