Success Story: Device for Patients with Dysphagia Gains FDA Approval

Ampcare develops therapeutic neuromuscular electrical stimulation technologies, including the Ampcare ESP™ (Effective Swallowing Protocol), an innovative protocol for the treatment of dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). The Ampcare founders are committed to delivering positive patient outcomes and innovative products specially designed to meet the needs of the patient, medical professional and the payer. Ampcare’s vision is to eliminate pneumonia and feeding tubes due to swallowing problems by improving the options and availability of dysphagia treatment techniques. Headquartered at TECH Fort Worth, Texas, Ampcare has three employees.

Ampcare applied for FDA clearance for their device, the Effective Swallowing Protocol, but the supplier of a key component, the powered muscle stimulator, was unable to meet the requirements for FDA clearance. Without this critical FDA-cleared component, Ampcare could go no further. TECH Fort Worth set up an initial meeting between Ampcare and TMAC, part of the MEP National Network^TM, to discuss the company's needs, and Ampcare decided TMAC was the right organization to assist in finding a new supplier or partner.

TMAC used Tech Scouting—a technique that originated by the Research Triangle International/Institute (RTI)—to conduct a supplier scouting project to find potential suppliers of the component. A key concern was for the potential supplier to be an FDA registered manufacturer of electrical muscle stimulators and to have successful experience in receiving FDA clearance of these devices. TMAC conducted the search and identified 69 potential suppliers or partners. Following Ampcare’s criteria, the list was reduced to 11 potential suppliers. Ampcare chose the top three that they wanted TMAC to investigate more thoroughly. TMAC prioritized the list based on findings by the FDA, the size of the company, their history, and several other factors. Finally, they forwarded contacts at the companies to Ampcare to start the negotiations and discussions.

After successfully engaging a supplier, Ampcare earned FDA approval for the Effective Swallowing Protocol, and entered markets in the UK, Hong Kong and Japan. The product is contributing to significant growth per net income for the company.

Results

• FDA-approved product
• Markets in the UK, Hong Kong, Japan
• 55% growth in net income

Could your company benefit from assistance with finding suppliers? Contact your local MEP Center for more information.