IQ Endoscopes

IQ Endoscopes is a medical device company focused on addressing critical challenges in gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostics through the development of single-use, sterile endoscopes. The company was founded in 2015 by Dr. Patrick Ward-Booth, a clinician with 40 years of experience in endoscopy, who identified the significant impact a disposable endoscope could have on global healthcare services. A pivotal moment occurred in 2017 when Dr. Ward-Booth partnered with Andrew Miller, a materials expert from the automotive industry, blending clinical insight with a novel engineering and manufacturing approach. This collaboration forms the foundation of the company's strategy: to produce endoscopes that replicate the ergonomic performance of reusable devices while leveraging cost-effective, scalable manufacturing processes inspired by the automotive sector.

The company's core business revolves around developing and commercializing a platform of single-use flexible endoscopes and a corresponding base unit. This model targets a significant market need driven by the growing volume of endoscopy procedures, an aging population, and the push for earlier cancer screening. The primary clients are healthcare providers, including hospitals and outpatient clinics, who face challenges with patient backlogs, operational inefficiencies, and the risks associated with reusing endoscopes. Currently, 98% of the approximately 70 million annual endoscopy procedures are performed with reusable devices, which require costly and time-consuming decontamination, posing a risk of cross-contamination and limiting patient throughput. By providing a sterile, single-use alternative, IQ Endoscopes enables healthcare systems to increase capacity, perform procedures in a wider variety of clinical settings, and eliminate the risk of patient-to-patient infection.

The company's flagship product is the Q Vision G-100, a single-use gastroscope, which works with the Q Vision Base Unit. The scope is designed to be plug-and-play, offering high-resolution imaging and ergonomic handling familiar to clinicians trained on reusable systems. The portable base unit features integrated insufflation, image and video capture capabilities, and compatibility with standard medical reporting systems. A key achievement for the company was securing both UKCA and FDA 510(k) regulatory clearance for the Q Vision G-100 in late 2023, paving the way for commercialization. The company has also emphasized sustainability, receiving grants to develop a recycling strategy for its disposable products. IQ Endoscopes has successfully raised significant capital to fund its development and market entry, including a £5.2 million Series B round in 2023, with backing from investors like BGF and the Development Bank of Wales.

Keywords: single-use endoscope, gastrointestinal diagnostics, medical device, medtech, GI disease, disposable gastroscope, endoscopy technology, cancer screening, healthcare efficiency, infection control, cross-contamination prevention, flexible endoscopy, Q Vision G-100, UKCA approval, FDA 510(k) clearance, clinical diagnostics, automotive-inspired design, sterile medical devices, outpatient procedures, healthcare innovation, surgical tools, diagnostic imaging, medical technology manufacturer, Chepstow, Wales healthcare