EpiGuard

What EpiGuard does

EpiGuard AS is a Norwegian medical technology company founded in 2015 by physicians at Oslo University Hospital following their first-hand experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak of inadequate patient isolation systems during transport. The company developed and commercialises the EpiShuttle, a single Patient Isolation Unit (PIU) that combines a hermetically sealed transparent hardtop with twelve-point quick-lock sealing, selectable positive or negative pressure modes, A2P3 dual-level filtration (with optional CBRN filters), a patented ventilator sleeve and head ports for in-transit intubation, and a rechargeable hot-swappable blower. The device is CE marked under EU MDR 2017/745, manufactured under ISO 13485:2016, certified to EN1789 (ground ambulances) and 'Safe to Fly' by the US AirForce, and is validated for reuse after a sub-two-hour disinfection cycle using peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or ozone.

The business model combines one-time capital hardware sales with a high-margin services layer — the EpiTraining programme (two-day workshops, one-day Train-the-Trainer courses, and a 2022-launched E-learning platform updated to Train-the-Trainer 2.0 in November 2024) — supplemented by accessories and consumables such as replacement filters and ratchet straps. The company runs direct enterprise sales in Norway, France, the UK and Ireland, and sells the balance of its reach through an exclusive distributor network covering 26 countries with a population of over one billion (including Leader Healthcare in the Middle East/India/Australia, JS T&C in South Korea, Normeca Asia and Jupitor Corporation in Japan, YEN LINH in Vietnam, and Scanmed SIA in Latvia).

EpiGuard serves government health systems, national ambulance services, military medical units, air ambulance operators, and international organisations including RescEU and the OPCW. Customers include NHS England (30 EpiShuttles embedded in CBRN SOPs), Norwegian Armed Forces and Oslo University Hospital, the Finnish Hospital University System, Westmead Hospital in Australia, FAI Air Ambulance (~200 COVID missions across 47 countries), DRF Luftrettung (330 corona patient air transports), and national services in Ireland, Latvia, and Sweden. As of early 2022, more than 280 units had been dispatched across 30+ countries and all continents, with over 1,000 successful patient transports cumulatively recorded.

Name

EpiGuard

Legal name

EpiGuard AS

Website

https://epiguard.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EpiGuard AS is a Norwegian medical technology company that designs and manufactures the EpiShuttle, a reusable single-patient isolation unit certified for both ground and air transport of highly infectious patients. It serves government health systems, militaries, and air ambulance operators across more than 30 countries through direct sales and an exclusive distributor network, complemented by an EpiTraining services programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. EpiShuttle Hardware Sales: EpiGuard generates revenue primarily through the sale of EpiShuttle single patient isolation transport units. The device is a reusable medical device, sold as a one-time capital purchase to healthcare systems, militaries, air ambulance services, and government agencies.
2. EpiTraining Professional Services: EpiGuard provides training services (EpiTraining) including two-day workshops, one-day Train-the-Trainer courses, and e-learning platform access. Training is a key revenue stream and differentiator, conducted by expert trainers with backgrounds in nursing, EMS, critical care, CBRNe, medevac, and war trauma surgery.
3. Accessories and Consumables: EpiGuard sells accessories and consumables for the EpiShuttle, including replacement filters, EpiShuttle Ratchet Straps, and other maintenance items.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EpiGuard is a Norwegian medical technology company that designs and manufactures the EpiShuttle, a single-patient isolation and transport unit used to safely move patients with highly infectious diseases (e.g., Ebola, COVID-19, MERS) while protecting medical personnel and the surrounding environment. The company also offers related accessories such as ratchet straps and complementary EpiTraining services for healthcare and military personnel.

Product overview

EpiGuard is a Norwegian medical technology company that developed the EpiShuttle, a single-patient isolation transport unit (PIU) designed for safe transport of highly infectious and vulnerable patients. The product portfolio centers on the EpiShuttle core unit, complemented by EpiTraining (a comprehensive training program with in-person workshops, Train the Trainer courses, and e-learning), EpiShuttle Ratchet Straps (for securing the unit to stretchers and vehicles), and EpiShuttle Care Checklists (for maintenance procedures). The EpiShuttle provides a sealed barrier with positive/negative pressure capabilities, allowing monitoring and advanced treatment during transport while protecting healthcare professionals from cross-infection. The company operates from Norway with facilities in Fredrikstad (production) and Oslo (headquarters).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EpiTraining: EpiGuard's comprehensive training program for EpiShuttle implementation, including two-day training workshops, Train the Trainer courses, and e-learning platform.
• EpiShuttle
• EpiShuttle Care Checklists

Products and services

• EpiShuttle
• EpiTraining
• Ratchet Straps

Quantifiable outcome

• Vehicles do not require 2-4 hours of disinfection after transport, keeping ambulance and aircraft fleets operational immediately
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• RescEU / EU CBRN Strategic Reserve (Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In late 2023, RescEU launched its first CBRN Strategic Reserve. Finland's National Emergency Supply Agency was assigned to lead stockpiling. The EpiShuttle was chosen as the patient isolation transport unit for this EU-wide preparedness reserve. EpiGuard partners with healthcare providers to ensure they are fully trained and confident in using the EpiShuttle.
• LRYregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpiGuard partnered with LRY as a distributor extending reach to Australia.
• Glomex MSregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpiGuard partnered with Glomex MS as a distributor covering South Korea.
• JS T&C Company (South Korea)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJS T&C Company, run by Sarah (Hyon Kyong) Joo, is EpiGuard's distributor in South Korea for scientific, laboratory, and experimental equipment including the EpiShuttle. Established in 2020.
• Linh Investment, Trading & Development Co., Ltd (Vietnam)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpiGuard partnered with Linh Investment, Trading & Development Co., Ltd as a distributor covering Vietnam.
• YEN LINH DEVELOPMENT TRADING INVESTMENT Co., Ltd (Vietnam)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYEN LINH DEVELOPMENT TRADING INVESTMENT Co., Ltd, founded and led by Hai Yen Truong (Marie Claire), serves as EpiGuard's exclusive distributor in Vietnam. Marie Claire brings 25 years of experience in channel and product management, business development, and strategic planning.
• Normeca Asia and Jupitor Corporation (Japan)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpiGuard marked a new start in Japan by partnering with Normeca Asia and Jupitor Corporation as representatives in the region to bring innovation in patient isolation transport to Japan.
• Scanmed SIA (Latvia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScanmed SIA is EpiGuard's Latvian distributor of the EpiShuttle, introducing the single patient isolation and transport unit to Latvia. Two EpiShuttles were donated via the U.S. Embassy in Latvia.
• Leader Healthcare Group (Middle East)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpiGuard announced an exclusive partnership with Leader Healthcare Group, one of the biggest healthcare solutions providers in the Middle East, based in Dubai with offices in India and Australia. The partnership aims to protect patients and healthcare professionals by providing the EpiShuttle across the region.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) / UNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian healthcare workers, including EpiGuard's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Fridtjof Heyerdahl, volunteered with the ICRC and UN to help people in Ukraine's war zones and conflict areas.
• NHS England / NARU / HART (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngland's NHS with NARU and HART have incorporated the EpiShuttle into their preparedness schemes and created dedicated standard operating procedures for patient isolation transports. 30 EpiShuttles cover the country as a key component of the CBRN risk mitigation framework.
• Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health / National Emergency Supply AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health steered the procurement of EpiShuttles for all reference hospitals in Finland, financed by the Finnish Government. National Emergency Supply Agency leads RescEU's CBRN stockpile implementation.
• Norwegian Armed Forces / National Medical Emergency Team for High-Risk Infection (NMUH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway's NMUH collaborates with the Norwegian Armed Forces to perfect skills in using the EpiShuttle for transporting patients with HCIDs. The team conducts exercises and real-world transports from field hospitals to care facilities.
• Swedish Ambulance Aviation / University Hospital Linköping / Norrland University Hospital UmeåregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish Ambulance Aviation collaborates with University Hospital in Linköping and Norrland University Hospital on EpiShuttle training exercises for long-distance HCID patient transport by air.
• Westmead Hospital / NSW Government (Australia)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's first biocontainment centre at Westmead Hospital uses the EpiShuttle as its patient isolation transport unit for the nation's pandemic and CBRN response.
• Fridtjof Heyerdahl (Founder, EpiGuard)coreOthersFridtjof Heyerdahl, MD PhD, is the Founder of EpiGuard and a practising physician at Oslo University Hospital and in air ambulance services. He co-invented the EpiShuttle concept after the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
• Dr. Knut Erik Hovda (Co-inventor, EpiGuard)coreOthersDr. Knut Erik Hovda, MD PhD, is co-inventor of the EpiShuttle and Clinical Consultant at the Norwegian CBRNe Centre of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital.
• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EpiShuttle took centre stage at an OPCW Hospital Preparedness Course, training professionals to respond effectively to chemical incidents and showcasing the EpiShuttle's role in CBRN preparedness.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Stryker: Global medical device leader whose stretchers (Power Pro, Megasus, Harrier) are explicitly compatible with the EpiShuttle via L-track connectors. Stryker is the dominant incumbent in the patient transport and emergency medical equipment market, with vastly greater scale and distribution.
• Ferno: Manufacturer of stretchers (Pegasus, Megasus, Harrier) and patient transport equipment that the EpiShuttle is designed to integrate with. Ferno is a direct comparable in patient transport hardware and could plausibly expand into patient isolation.
• GF Health Products (Hausted): Manufacturer of patient handling and transport equipment, including the Hausted brand of stretchers and surgical chairs. Direct peer in the patient transport hardware category with overlapping hospital and emergency services customers.

Broad incumbents

• Dräger: Major medical and safety technology company with a strong portfolio in anaesthesia, ventilation, and CBRNe protective equipment. Dräger is a natural adjacent incumbent that could extend its ICU/ventilation capabilities into the patient isolation transport category.
• MSA Safety: Global safety products manufacturer with a meaningful presence in respiratory protection, gas detection, and CBRNe response equipment. MSA's breadth of institutional and government relationships overlaps with EpiGuard's customer base.
• Avon Protection: Specialist in CBRNe and respiratory protective equipment for military, law enforcement, and first responders. Avon Protection's product portfolio is highly complementary to EpiGuard's CBRNe use case, and it serves many of the same defence customers.
• 3M: Diversified safety and healthcare conglomerate with leading positions in PPE, respirators, and infection prevention products. 3M's scale, government relationships, and infection prevention portfolio make it a structural adjacent incumbent.
• Honeywell: Industrial conglomerate with a meaningful safety and PPE business serving emergency responders, militaries, and industrial customers. Honeywell has the resources to enter adjacent product categories including patient isolation.
• Steris: Global leader in infection prevention and sterilization products for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and life sciences customers. Steris's decontamination and infection control portfolio is directly relevant to the EpiShuttle disinfection workflow and the broader HCID preparedness market.

Emerging players

• Allen-Vanguard: Specialist in CBRNe threat mitigation equipment, including systems used by militaries and emergency responders. Smaller than the broad incumbents but a focused peer in the CBRNe preparedness space that could expand into patient transport isolation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/epiguard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epiguard

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EpiGuard