First product from Boots Centre for Innovation helps four million sufferers of incontinence

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Issue Date: 6th June 2008

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First product from Boots Centre for Innovation helps four million sufferers of incontinence

IncoStress, the revolutionary device designed to control urinary stress incontinence, has been launched by the Boots Centre for Innovation and is now available exclusively on www.boots.com. The product is the first to be launched by the Centre, which was created to identify, and facilitate the development of, pioneering health and beauty products.

Incontinence affects more than four million women in the UK. Unlike pads, IncoStress controls incontinence by providing support to the bladder and applying a gentle, supporting pressure on the urethra. The unique shape can also help to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Made of non-allergenic medical grade silicone it is inserted into the vagina and can be used during the day and night for up to eight hours. It is reusable for up to a month, and only needs to be washed under clean water.

The inventor, Gaynor Morgan, is a former nurse from Swansea who had the idea for the product while her mother was suffering from stress incontinence. “We happened upon the idea by chance in 1998. We developed IncoStress and then organised trials at Singleton Hospital, Swansea. We approached Boots Centre for Innovation in October 2007 for support in bringing the product to market. I am delighted that it can finally help restore quality of life to women who suffer from this condition.”

Since it opened last year the Boots Centre for Innovation has received more than 400 product ideas from inventors. Set up by Boots, Longbow Capital and the Institute of Life Science at Swansea University. Its aim is to offer inventors expertise in all areas of business including product development, marketing and retail know how.

“There is a genuine need to better support innovation in the UK,” explains Ged O’Shea, Managing Director, Boots Centre for Innovation. “By providing inventors like Gaynor with access to our business and retail expertise we can help bring to market unique products, like IncoStress, that will improve the health and wellbeing of millions of Boots customers.”

Gaynor continues: “Working with the Centre has been easy and the team has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. The expertise, especially in marketing, distribution and packaging, has been in-valuable.”

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