Phagenesis, a U.K. company focused on dysphagia (the inability to swallow), has been awarded $1.5 million from the Wellcome Trust to extend the scope of its dysphagia treatment device, from hospitals into the community.

Phagenesis’ technology is designed to treat patients who are dysphagic following a stroke. Currently, there is no generally accepted treatment for the condition and patients typically have to be fed puréed food and thickened liquids or be fed through a tube, which can severely limit their quality of life.

Phagenesis has developed the world’s first clinically-proven device to treat dysphagia in stroke patients in the first few weeks while they are hospitalised. With the help of the Wellcome Trust, Phagenesis is now developing and testing a new version of its device to treat patients suffering from long-term dysphagia.

“Our technology can make a significant difference to patients in the hospital who have this difficult-to-treat condition,” said Daniel Green, CEO of Phagenesis. “We believe this benefit can be extended more widely to people outside the hospital setting. We are delighted to have the support of the Wellcome Trust to adapt our technology and reach these patients and improve their quality of life.”