A Manchester-based start-up has taken delivery of new stock for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit after lending its support to hospitals across the North West over the last three months.
Levitex®, based at Manchester Science Park, is hoping to get its growth plans back on track after COVID-19 put the brakes on the official launch of its ‘gravity defying’ pillows, which contain a unique type of foam technology.
The pillows have been created following a series of clinical trials and are specially designed to improve posture during sleep, easing neck and back pain.
Levitex® medical director, Dr Ilan Lieberman, a pain management specialist, returned to the NHS frontline as part of the team at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Wythenshawe Hospital in April to help in the fight against COVID-19.
During that time, more than 200 Levitex pillows were also donated to local hospitals including Manchester Children’s Hospital, North Manchester General, Wythenshawe Hospital, Salford Royal, and Lancashire Teaching Hospital in Preston to aid patients in their recovery from the virus.
Despite lockdown putting a halt on businesses across the country, Levitex is now preparing to distribute its range of pillows to customers for the first time since its successful Kickstarter campaign in October 2019.
Levitex founder and CEO, James Leinhardt, said: “This is the first time our pillows and mattresses are going to be on sale to the general public so it’s a huge milestone for us as a company.
“COVID-19 has presented new challenges for all businesses, but I’m so proud of our team to have battled through this period whilst doing everything we could to help those in Manchester and the wider North West suffering with the virus.
“I’ve spent most of my career working with NHS trusts, care homes and local authorities across the country and that’s why I wanted to create a product that would genuinely help people. Good sleep posture is so important, and we’ve taken a scientific approach to everything in order to create a product that helps reduce things like neck pain and back ache.
“All of our products are made from a new type of polyurethane foam technology we’ve invented to create the best pillow for neck pain, and I believe it will be a game-changer for those looking for a better nights’ sleep.
“We work with a number of professional sports clubs and elite athletes, including Chelsea Women’s FC, who won the league this season, Sale Sharks’ World Cup winners for South Africa Faf De Klerk and Lood de Jager and gold medallist Olympians Ed Clancy and Will Satch, and they’ve all reported better sleep and less pain after using our pillows.”
Having undergone independent clinical trials at University of Salford, results showed that Levitex® foam offered the best combination of comfort, support and pressure relief. It was tested against 11 other sleeping surfaces including memory foam, sprung mattresses and air-alternating mattresses often found in hospitals.
As the start-up continues to expand, further studies with the University of Central Lancashire and professional sports clubs are planned to discover further evidence about Levitex® products’ impact on easing pain and improving sleep posture.
Levitex has also previously teamed up with Championship side Preston North End FC and British high jump star, Morgan Lake, Invictus Games captain and army veteran, Major Bernie Broad and Britain’s Strongest Man, Adam Bishop.
