CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Myomo, Inc. (NYSE American: MYO) (“Myomo” or the “Company”), a wearable medical robotics company, today announced continued momentum across Europe with the appointment of John Frijters as Business Development Manager for EU, a distributor agreement with Bandagist Jan Nielsen to deliver MyoPro to patients across Denmark and the first screening day in the United Kingdom.
"We estimate the number of patients in the EU who could benefit from MyoPro is well over a million people,” says Jon Naft, Myomo VP and General Manager. “We believe that the European market will be an important part of the MyoPro business in the long term, so we are establishing these strategic footholds."
Paul R. Gudonis, Chairman and CEO of Myomo, said, “This announcement reaffirms Myomo’s commitment to helping restore function in the arms and hands of individuals who are suffering from the effects of a neuromuscular disease or injury. We are looking forward to providing more individuals a chance to improve their quality of life.”
Background on John Frijters
Myomo announces the appointment of John Frijters as Business Development Manager for Europe. John will be responsible for managing Myomo’s relationship with existing distribution partners and establishing additional distributors throughout the EU.
Prior to joining Myomo, John Frijters worked for ReWalk Robotics in the position of V.P. Sales & Business Development Europe from 2010 to 2018. Before ReWalk, John served as V.P. of Global Sales and Marketing at Stryker-Berchtold, and spent most of his professional career in various roles with Ottobock, a manufacturer and supplier of a range of healthcare products including prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation technology and mobility products.
“I am honored to join the Myomo team as Business Development Manager,” said John Frijters. “Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed working with multi-national teams in the field of non-invasive medical devices and medical products, and I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge, network and expertise to Myomo.”
Distribution Contract
Bandagist Jan Nielsen and Myomo have signed a distribution contract to help bring MyoPro to patients in the Nordic region. Headquartered in Copenhagen Denmark, Bandagist Jan Nielsen was founded and is currently owned by Jan Nielsen (CPO). Nielsen has a team of bandagists, physiotherapists, specialized technicians, (CO, CPO’s) and shop assistants that manage the patient care needs on orthosis and prosthesis and other medical aids. The team also offers patients in-home visits.
“Myomo's leading technology is now available in Denmark, and the MyoPro completes our offer to the many Danish people that lost the capability to use their hand and arm following a stroke or a brachial plexus injury,” said Jan Nielsen, CPO and CEO of Bandagist Jan Nielsen. “Myomo's products together with Bandagist Jan Nielsen A/S presents a great solution for the many Danish people that need this innovative orthotic technology."
The company employs 45 employees at two locations in Kopenhagen (Frederiksborggade and Sundholmsvej) and has clinic sessions at satellite clinics in Sjæland and Føun.
Bandagist Jan Nielsen and Myomo attended the 11th Nordic Prosthetist and Orthotist Conference in Copenhagen September 6-8, 2018.
First Screening Day in the United Kingdom
Myomo conducted the first ever MyoPro free screening day in the United Kingdom with Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Hobbs Rehabilitation. Held on September 4, 2018, the screenings gave potential users a convenient chance to be evaluated by clinical specialists to determine if the MyoPro might help them overcome upper-limb paralysis caused by stroke, brachial plexus injury or other neuromuscular disease or injury. Ten attended and eight were qualified. Myomo has seen good success with screening days across the United States and is continuing to educate and assist more individuals, families, physicians, and therapists about the benefit of the MyoPro myoelectric orthosis.
"We have spent ten years looking for a myoelectric elbow brace to restore arm and hand function to our paralyzed patients and have finally found it in MyoPro” said Mr. Simon Pickard, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic & District Hospital NHS Trust. “These screening days make it very convenient for clinicians to evaluate patients and prescribe the device."
About Myomo
Myomo, Inc. is a wearable medical robotics company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. Myomo develops and markets the MyoPro product line. MyoPro is a powered upper limb orthosis designed to support the arm and restore function to the weakened or paralyzed arms of patients suffering from CVA stroke, brachial plexus injury, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, ALS or other neuromuscular disease or injury. It is currently the only marketed device that, sensing a patient’s own EMG signals through non-invasive sensors on the arm, can restore an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living, including feeding themselves, carrying objects and doing household tasks. Many are able to return to work, live independently and reduce their cost of care. Myomo is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with sales and clinical professionals across the U.S. and distribution partners in Europe. For more information, please visit www.myomo.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future business expectations including with respect to the Company’s plans and expectations for the European market, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks related to regulatory approval and market acceptance of our products, and the other risk factors contained in our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about factors that potentially could affect Myomo's financial results is included in Myomo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
