Electronic Capsule Technology the Basis for Innovations in Personalized Medicine for Women

Two European biomedical companies have agreed to collaborate on the development of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic products in the area of women’s health.

Medimetrics BV (Heilbronn, Germany) and the newly formed LiGalli (The Hague, the Netherlands) will be pooling their expertise to develop and produce medical drug delivery and monitoring devices based on Medimetrics' IntelliCap electronic capsule.


The IntelliCap electronic capsule is a unique ingestible device that combines five technologies: electronically controlled drug release, laboratory measurement capability, GI tract navigation in the body, two-way real time communication, and the novel operating system. The capsule contains a fluid reservoir and a micro-fluidic pump capable of pumping fluids, pastes, or suspensions. Operation of the pump is controlled by an integrated microprocessor. The IntelliCap also contains sensors that measure the pH and temperature of the pill’s local environment and an ultralow power radio transceiver that allows two-way communication to a data-monitoring/control unit. It is powered by an on-board battery and its electronics are fully sealed to ensure biocompatibility.

LiGalli will contribute its in-depth experience in pharmaceutical and gynecological products to the partnership.

Dr.Willem de Laat, founder of LiGalli said, “This is a significant, but also a logical, step forward in the move towards personalized medicine, improving the diagnostic and therapeutic tools available to patients. Having access to this groundbreaking technology opens the door to developing individualized therapies, which for the first time could meet a woman’s specific needs. It then becomes possible to perform continuous diagnosis monitoring or time exactly when a therapy was delivered, adapt the quantity, and even interrupt the schedule, if necessary.”

Dr. Olaf Weiner, CEO of Medimetrics, said, “The new collaboration adds an exciting dimension within the area of women’s health, creating new and improved therapeutic opportunities for patients. More and more companies are recognizing the potential of our IntelliCap technology, seeking to capitalize on its diagnostic and drug delivery functionalities. It is already widely used by the pharmaceutical industry to rationalize and speed up the development of modified release formulations and dosage forms. By tailoring drug delivery in this way, it is also possible for patients to take their medication less frequently without compromising on efficacy.”

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Medimetrics B.V.