Haemair was founded in 2005 by engineers who lost close relatives to lung disease, and has been a NISH members since its concept. 

The company set out with the vision of creating a device that would directly oxygenate blood to augment residual lung capacity in those suffering from lung disease. The ultimate goal is to provide preferable alternatives to lung transplants to achieve better outcomes and to increase the availability of transplant organs. 

Having attracted over £3million in investment, the team’s primary motivation is to help sufferers of lung disease and their families and its technology has been patented worldwide. 

The innovative technology has been recognised by the Welsh Government and the UK Government, and Haemair has received grants of over £2million. 

Following their initial success, Haemair grew the business and recruited a young talented team of scientists and engineers who share their vision. The team moved to Swansea University’s campus in 2012 to benefit from the University’s world-leading research in blood rheology. Understanding what determines the likelihood of blood clotting is vitally important when designing devices that makes contact with blood, so Haemair benefits from accessing the unique skills built in Swansea through the collaboration between the University’s Engineering and Medical schools. 

The services and expertise on campus have enabled the team to concentrate on designing and developing medical devices – including an oxygenator, a stored blood cleaning device and a pulsatile blood pump, – and to demonstrate the devices to potential customers and investors. 

Haemair is now working with Swansea University experts on a number of projects, including a Welsh Government SMART Partnership study to improve product design, and has multiple patents associated with its products. 

“We have found great advantages in operating from the campus. We collaborate with university staff in the microscopy and imaging departments and gain invaluable advice from onsite experts. The lab facilities enable us to experiment with human blood and tissues, and the appropriate consumables available in the stores give us instant access to parts. We use biohazard disposable services and we benefit greatly from being in the same facility as like-minded companies and biochemistry experts.” – Vicki James, Technical Director