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9 LATEST UMIP SPIN-OUT NEWS SPIN-OUT CLIN-E-CAL LTD SET UP TO MAKE RAPID SOCIAL IMPACT THROUGH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND CLINICAL RESEARCH Tested at the Manchester Royal Children's Hospital, Rafi-tone is Clin-E-cal's first product and was conceived in response to Tariq's own son's difficulties in taking inhaler medication, but builds on themes developed through his research. Children are not always the greatest fans of taking medicine or using new treatment devices. Many of them feel anxious about inhaling their asthma medication via a spacer. Rafi-Tone is an interactive game developed to help overcome the problems a lot of youngsters have with spacer usage. Combining the latest technology with a liberal dose of fun and colour, it encourages children to use their spacers effectively. It also helps tackle stress and anxiety in both children and parents. Using an existing inhaler training aid, the app uses novel algorithms which can help the correct technique to be maintained for each dose of the medication helping to ensure treatment is optimised. Children hear a musical note when they breathe properly into their spacers. This activates the Rafi-Tone game downloaded on to a smartphone, tablet or PC. The game's characters interact with the children whenever they breathe properly. Tariq comments: "These are exciting times as we expect Rafi- Tone to be on sale early in the New Year. There's nothing that would make me more excited to hear about patients using devices or technologies that I've developed and it having a positive impact on them." Tariq explained how he especially valued the support from UMIP's IP development and partnering manager, Dr Lizzie Crawford who helped with the development of the product though dealing with the marketing and IP matters and setting up the spin-out company. The Rafi-Tone app works on android phones, Apple iPhones and tablets in conjunction with a special device called a 'Flo-Tone'. The Flo-Tone is a plastic tube that attaches to most spacers and inhalers. It is made by Clement Clarke, a company with a long history of producing inhaler devices for children. Funding was provided by Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT), Innovate UK, UMIP Pathfinder Funding which has helped develop the technology and determine the commercial plans and route to market. As the company becomes established, Clin-E-cal will develop other technologies consistent with the company's mission to build a portfolio of opportunities. For more information please see www.clin-e-cal.com Dr Tariq Aslam, a consultant ophthalmologist, at the Institute of Human Development (MHS) and the Central Manchester Foundation Trust (CMFT) has developed a novel smartphone app, called Rafi-tone, which has been designed to help children take their inhaler with a spacer effectively.

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