New biodegradable anal plug to manage Faecal Incontinence

Project Information

My-qup

Grant agreement ID: 744432

DOI

10.3030/744432

Project closed

EC signature date 1 December 2016

Start date 1 January 2017

End date 30 June 2017

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

MY-QUP MEDICAL SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - My-qup (New biodegradable anal plug to manage Faecal Incontinence)

Reporting period: 2017-01-01 to 2017-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

It is estimated that 10.8% of the Spanish adult population is suffering from faecal incontinence (FI). FI is a multifactorial condition with several possible causes and different levels of severity. Even after undergoing different treatments most of the patients will suffer from eventual FI. The conservative management of FI is a key part in its treatment, and it can condition in a huge way the patient's quality of life (QoL). The most common solutions to manage FI are disposable pads and diapers, which are difficult to recycle due to their characteristic composition in layers. These solutions do not cover the basic needs of the patient: odour control, comfort, safety and discretion.
People with full FI can use from 2 to 6 diapers (or pads) a day. Contributing to the expected growth of a 50% by 2020 of the adult diapers market with 2.190 diapers (or pads) per year per user. Making this an important social and environmental problem.
The main point that My-qup wants to address is the recovery of the patient’s confidence to go out again in order to avoid sick leaves and depression while reducing difficult-to-recycle waste.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the action, a technical feasibility study and a business plan, including commercial and financial viability, have been analysed.
The technical analysis concludes that it is possible to manufacture the anal plug. The functional prototype is being manufactured at a design studio and it is expected to be tested by the end of the year with real users.
The commercial and financial analysis suggests that it is a valid option to enter the market and start selling instead of licensing. The projections show that in the beginning of the second year the company will be able to break even and have profits. A return on investment of 45% is expected in year 5.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The inability to control an important bodily process, as bowel function, results in a loss of confidence and self-respect. These consequences are compounded by the social stigma and the secrecy attached to FI. The possibility to enable otherwise healthy people to participate fully in social and work life, prevent social exclusion and anxiety and improve the QoL, helping to reduce medical leaves and depression is a very relevant point in a society where the cost of health is increasing and the working force is decreasing.
The environmental impact to change from diapers to new products will be huge as diapers and pads have absorbent agents, different material layers and therefore, are items difficult to recycle.

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