A SCOTTISH early-stage company that has developed a revolutionary online self-assessment platform for people with muscle and joint pain has secured a further tranche of funding to help it push ahead with its plans.

PhysioMedics has received £750,000 from Edinburgh-based business angel syndicate Archangels, with support from leading medtech and digital health incubator BioCity Group and the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise. It comes on top of £250,000 of seed funding raised a year ago.

PhysioMedics plans to use the new money to accelerate the commercial launch of its existing product, to develop and finesse the software tool and to develop sales channels internationally, with the US and Australia in its sights. The company is already working with large health insurance providers to implement the system in early 2018.

PhysioWizard is a triage system that has been developed to match patients suffering muscle and joint problems with the most appropriate healthcare professional.

Currently, insurance and occupational health companies employ healthcare professionals to triage patients over the phone.

PhysioMedics says this is an expensive and time-consuming use of resource and that PhysioWizard provides a consistent and convenient alternative, producing automated clinical reports and referring patients quickly and cost-effectively to the recommended professional.

Patients can access the self-assessment tool online and complete the process in 15 minutes. The tool has been clinically trialled to deliver assessments for all lower body regions and a full body version is on track for launch next year.

The system has been developed by the PhysioMedics team of specialist clinicians and the software has been carefully scoped using everyday language to ensure patients understand and engage with the online assessment. MD Kirsten Lord said: “PhysioMedics has come a long way in 12 months and this funding will enable us not only to develop our commercial platform but also explore opportunities in the US and Australia.

“I am confident that PhysioWizard can make a real difference to helping sufferers of muscle and joint pain live healthier lives.”

Archangels is a business angel syndicate which has been at the forefront of early-stage investing in Scotland for more than 25 years.

Its members invest in and mentor promising start-up and early-stage companies from Scotland’s vibrant technology and life sciences sectors.

Dr Sarah Hardy, Archangels’ chief investment officer, said: “The PhysioMedics team has demonstrated that it has a viable product and one that is attractive to health insurance and occupational health providers.

“At Archangels, we are proud of our track record of follow-on funding and we look forward to the next chapter in the PhysioMedics story.”

Kerry Sharp, head of the Scottish Investment Bank, added: “Scottish Enterprise, through the Scottish Investment Bank, is delighted to be co-investing with Archangels. We look forward to working alongside PhysioMedics to help it achieve its potential, both in Scotland and internationally.”

Archangels is interested in Scottish technology companies looking for initial funding of between £50,000 and £2 million. It is also keen to welcome new investors to its syndicate.