Prevent Biometrics, a sports-tech startup that creates a concussion-monitoring mouthguard, announced Monday that it had acquired the head impact technology of Seattle-based X2 Biosystems.
The transaction brings together two growing head monitoring technologies – Prevent's Impact Monitor Mouthguard and X2's skin patch-based platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"The opportunity to add X2's patents and engineering know how is an exceptional one for Prevent," Prevent CEO Steve Washburn said in a statement. "Head impact monitoring holds transformational potential for concussion safety, and our combined intellectual property gives us a tremendous competitive advantage in this emerging category."
A growing number of companies have launched concussion-detecting technologies in recent years. Demand for such products has heated up as concerns rise over the long-term effects of head injuries.
Edina-based Prevent, a spinoff of Cleveland Clinic, got into the game in 2015. The company's mouthguard monitors athletes for impacts strong enough to cause a concussion. If the technology detects an impact above a certain threshold, it transmits a warning over Bluetooth to a mobile app.
Prevent's tech also allows coaches to teach athletes safer playing techniques that minimize head impact exposure.
Many companies focus on monitoring athletes through high-tech helmets. Prevent's leaders believe that the company's mouthguard approach makes it easier to more precisely measure head impacts.
Prior to co-founding Prevent, Washburn led athletic mouthguard-maker Shock Doctor Inc. for 16 years and sold it to a private equity firm.
Prevent closed on a $6 million round of funding in May 2017.
