Pasadena, NL-based medtech company Swiftsure Innovations has received $149,000 in funding from the Newfoundland and Labrador government to help finance its second clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic.

The provincial government’s Industry, Energy and Technology Department issued a press release on Thursday saying the money would complement a $210,000 commitment from the company for a total project funding of $359,000.

Swiftsure’s flagship product is the SwishKit, which it describes as a method of washing and suctioning the oral cavity in mechanically ventilated patients. Medical teams can insert the device into a patient’s mouth, where it uses saline to rinse the person's oral cavity.

The system aims to reduce the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia by providing a safe and effective method for cleaning the nasal and oral cavities of patients on life support while minimizing secondary infection risk.

“The funding from the Department of IET will support our second clinical study at the Cleveland Clinic, providing Swiftsure the ability to generate clinical evidence required for widespread commercial adoption of our flagship product, the SwishKit,” said Swiftsure Founder and CEO Deanne McCarthy in the statement. “We believe the simple act of rinsing the mouth of patients on life support will improve objective and measurable patient outcomes, decrease healthcare costs, and enhance patient comfort.”

Last year, Swiftsure completed its first clinical trials at the Cleveland Clinic, which describes itself as “one of the world's largest and best healthcare systems.” The clinic is an international organization with 80,642 caregivers, 23 hospitals and 276 outpatient facilities in locations around the globe.

The Newfoundland company, which raised $2.3 million in equity funding in 2023, is now embarking on its second clinical trials at the facility as it works toward bringing its product to the market.

“This funding is a game-changer, empowering us to further validate the incredible potential of the SwishKit through robust clinical evidence,” said the company in a social media post over the weekend. “Our team is ready to dive into this next phase, leveraging this incredible support to showcase the undeniable value of the SwishKit.”