Neuronostics, a Bristol tech firm developing a software platform that will benefit people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions, has reached the final of a prestigious international competition.
The Nature Spinoff Prize recognises businesses with the potential to translate world-leading scientific research into products and services that would have lasting impact on society. 
Neuronostics, based in the SETsquared Bristol tech incubator, is developing a platform to enable neurology centres globally to take advantage of their suite of digital tools.
Its technology analyses clinical data, such as EEG, used routinely for the diagnosis of conditions such as epilepsy. It transforms these data into computer representations of the brain.
From these computer models, the ease with which seizures can occur is calculated. This informs Neuronostics’ patented #BioEP seizure risk marker.
In contrast to the current clinical pathway, which is reliant on the clinical observation of symptoms which can take months or years, Neuronostics’ markers can be calculated in close to real time. 
Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological conditions – globally 65m people are estimated to suffer from it.
The firm was co-founded by Prof John Terry and Dr Wessel Woldman in 2018 as a spin-out from the University of Exeter. It has since raised more than £1.5m in grant funding as well as an equity investment this year of £300,000, enabling it to grow the team to 10 people.
Neuronostics is one of one of four finalists for the Nature Spinoff Prize 2021.
Prof Terry said: “It is amazing to see the hard work of our team recognised in this way by Nature.
“To be highlighted as one to watch and into the final four of this global competition is a fantastic endorsement of both our research and our business plan.
“It inspires us to work even harder to ensure that our research is translated into tools that benefit people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.”
SETsquared Bristol centre director Monika Radclyffe said: “Neuronostics is working towards making a real impact on the lives of people with epilepsy. It is great to see its recognition in this global competition for excellence in research commercialisation.”
The Spinoff Prize, sponsored by Merck, attracted more than 150 applications from around the world. A panel of global experts selected the four finalists on the basis of several key criteria.
These included the quality of the underpinning science, the significance of the problem the company is seeking to address, a well-developed business plan, and the quality of technical and commercial leadership.
Neuronostics will now go forward to the grand final on July 12 which is incorporated into the 2021 Future Insight Days congress. The winning spin-out will receive a grant of £25,000 to accelerate its research and development.
