STABILO will manufacture the pens and ensure that they conform to all relevant European standards for consumer electronics. While the commercial terms of the agreement are confidential, it does provide for exclusivity in the field of neuromotor impairment.

Rutger Zietsma, CEO of Manus Neurodynamica, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured such an internationally recognised manufacturer of writing instruments as our supplier of the digital pen element of the Manus diagnostic system. This agreement comes at the end of a joint development programme in which STABILO brought its expertise in hardware, firmware and ergonomics to the development of a novel medical device. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Manus’ product is a diagnostic system which combines sensor technologies built into a digital pen with associated proprietary analytical software to capture and analyse minute limb and hand movements. These measurements provide objective information about movement abnormalities. The system is CE marked as a Class 1 medical device to support the diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson’s Disease.

The Company, based in Edinburgh, was founded in 2008 and is a spin-out based on Dr Rutger Zietsma’s work in the area of neuroscience and handwriting with Prof Bernard Conway at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Peter Kämpf, director of research and development, Schwan-Stabilo, said: “Our involvement in the Manus project has brought our experience of designing and developing writing instruments into the field of regulated medical devices. This novel product can potentially revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of neuromotor diseases, and we are excited to be involved in its development and in helping bring it to market.”