London-based medical technology startup Cryogenx has secured 1.9 million euros ($2.2 million) in seed funding to accelerate the development of its proprietary cooling solution to reduce heat stress in military personnel.
The initiative centers on Cryogenx’s flagship CGX1, an “ice bath in a backpack” that mimics low-temperature immersion to treat heat-related illnesses in the field, including heatstroke where the core human body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit.
The suite contains a wearable device with conductive pads for instant cooling across “most remote and extreme environments.” These pads are injected with coolant stored within small canisters that come with the package.
Its lightweight design of 5 kilograms (11 pounds) allows deployment within two minutes of diagnosis without complex preparation.
The equipment is compact enough to fit in standard emergency vehicle compartments, and its gas tanks are fully recyclable for future use.
“Heatstroke isn’t just an isolated risk; it’s a rising global threat – and existing solutions simply aren’t practical enough to meet the challenge,” Startups Magazine quoted Cryogenx CEO and Founder Matt Anderson as saying.
“We’ve designed CGX1 as a defibrillator for heatstroke, providing frontline responders and military personnel the ability to treat heat-related illness effectively, wherever it strikes.”
FDA Push, Promotion of Dual-Use
Cryogenx’s latest funding involves 495,000 euros ($576,000) from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund, a publicly-backed investment organization.
This portion will support FDA clearance for the patent-ready CGX1, scale-up manufacturing, and launch international sales.
In addition to the standard CGX1 model, the British company is working on lighter, modular variants of the suite, as well as a subscription-based framework to sustain long-term revenue.
Once approved, the technology is expected to be offered to the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense.
It will also be promoted to civilian sectors where the workforce is prone to heat stress, including in energy, construction, mining, emergency services, and sports.
“This is exactly the kind of innovation we target in our defence and security investments,” said Alex Leigh, investment director at UKI2S.
“Cryogenx is addressing a critical, global challenge with a solution that has the potential to transform how we prevent and manage heat injuries across sectors. We’re proud to support them as they scale their impact and set a new benchmark for operational safety and resilience.”
