Cryogenx, a healthtech startup based in London, has secured a £150,000 investment from the British Design Fund as part of a larger £800,000 funding round. This round included contributions from existing shareholders, angel investors, and a US-based fund.

The company has developed a portable body cooling device called CGX1, described as an “ice bath in a backpack.” This device is designed to provide rapid, life-saving cooling in various scenarios. The CGX1 utilizes patent-pending technology, featuring a powerful coolant stored in compact cylinders that is injected into an adhesive, thermally conductive pad placed on the patient’s torso. This setup emulates the effects of ice water immersion, offering a first-line treatment for heat-related illnesses, particularly heatstroke.

Cryogenx’s founder, Matt Anderson, conceived the idea while studying Industrial Design at Brunel University. After watching a documentary in which a cameraman lost his life due to extreme heat while filming in a remote location, Anderson began investigating the dangers and effects of extreme heat.

Annually, an estimated 489,000 deaths are attributed to extreme heat, a figure likely to rise due to climate change. Cryogenx's device is particularly valuable in remote locations where reducing core body temperature quickly can be challenging. The company supports individuals and organizations where heat-related illnesses are common, such as in defense, construction, energy, manufacturing, fire services, and sports sectors.

The funding will enable Cryogenx to initiate and ramp up its commercial activities, including completing its first formal production run. The company is also conducting several preclinical studies, including collaborations with Brunel University and a leading academic in exercise and environmental physiology in the US.

Cryogenx is keen to connect with companies and distributors to ensure that their technology reaches those who need it most.