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Atlas Genetics Ltd is a University of Bath spin-out company established in 2005 by Dr John Clarkson, a former lecturer in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry (DBB). In collaboration with DBB researchers, Atlas Genetics developed novel technology for rapid (<30 minute) and robust detection of infectious diseases at the point-of-care. Atlas Genetics has raised over £22m funding specifically to develop the Atlas ioTM detection system, which combines a patented electrochemical detection system with probes for specific micro-organisms within a small disposable cartridge. Different probe cartridges are used to detect a range of pathogens that have critical clinical importance and large-scale socio-economic significance, including Candida, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacterial meningitis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Trichomonas, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Candida research in DBB underpinned the specificity, sensitivity and application of the technology to clinical samples and was used in seeking capitalization for Atlas.
Atlas Genetics re-located from the University to a nearby business park and employs 35 full-time staff, some having moved from academia into the company largely thanks to the synergistic relationship with University of Bath researchers. The ioTM platform has undergone successful clinical tests on Chlamydia and Trichomonas at Johns Hopkins University, USA. The ioTM platform and Chlamydia test is scheduled for clinical trials in 2014, with roll out in Europe and the USA, pending regulatory approval, providing global reach within the $42bn in vitro diagnostics market.
Analytical methods and nanotechnology developed and patented since 1994 by the University of Sunderland, for healthcare, forensic and environmental monitoring applications have been exploited for their commercial and healthcare benefits. The patents were out-licensed to a University spin-out company for the production of a `sniffer' device to detect raw material air contamination in a manufacturing environment. The proof of concept project resulted in significant commercial benefits, such as inward investment, new industry, specialist training, and >20 new jobs for a range of skilled workers, both in the UK and overseas, development of health and welfare protection, exploitation of technology to meet new industry regulations, and improved efficiency in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and products for household goods.
The nanobiotechnology research group at the University of Kent (Bruce et al.) has pioneered the ability to control, manipulate and commercially process magnetite nanoparticles. Two spinout companies, EryDel and Dietheva have been formed, with a €6 million venture capital grant, as a direct result of the Kent-led research. EryDel (in collaboration with Philips Healthcare) are exploiting the materials worldwide for drug delivery (Erydex), with US and European approval for Orphan drug designation given in 2013 for genetic diseases, and Diatheva are marketing the technology for forensic diagnostic kits. The predicted five-year revenue is €35 million with a potential market of €17 billion.
This case study outlines the impact in generating investment in a spin-out SME and in developing a technology for clinical diagnosis based on chemistry research carried out in Bath. The research led to a spin-out company, Atlas Genetics, which has raised over £18M funding in the REF period specifically to develop the Atlas io™ platform, novel technology for rapid (<30 minute) and robust detection of infectious diseases suitable for point-of-care. The investment has created new jobs for highly skilled workers at the cutting-edge of medical diagnostics, with Atlas currently employing 36 staff. The io™ platform has been fully developed and has undergone successful clinical tests on multiple infections (based on bespoke Chemistry developed at Bath) prior to clinical trialling and rollout in Europe and the United States.
Dr Alexandros Paraskevas has demonstrated the benefits of implementing academic research and `scientific rigour' into global business practices. His conceptual approach to risk and crisis management has become highly acclaimed within the hospitality industry and has strengthened practices in a turbulent business environment. His research pioneered an effective partnership between the Oxford School of Hospitality Management and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), resulting in the Group developing new risk management practices, enhancing its effectiveness in managing risks, saving costs and gaining worldwide recognition as industry leader in the field. These practices are continuously shared with the broader H&T industry through appropriate fora and dissemination platforms.
Fifteen years of research in advanced Lab-on-a-Chip technologies at the University of Glasgow has led to three spin-out companies: Mode-Dx, Clyde Biosciences and SAW-Dx. Since 2008 these companies have developed a range of products and services for the diagnostic screening of chronic diseases, for the detection of acute infections and for improving the drug discovery process. The three companies have secured a total of £2.3M in venture funding and secured key strategic collaborations with stakeholders including industry partners and the NHS.
Research co-led by Prof Roz Anderson, in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, resulted in a new chromogenic substrate for the rapid detection and specific identification of the bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a `super-bug' that threatens many thousands of hospital patients annually, leading to poor clinical outcome and increased risk of mortality.
bioMérieux adopted the technology for a new product, ChromID® P. aeruginosa, for commercial realisation as a clinical microbiology test; it was launched in the EU, USA and Australia, supporting the company's commercial position as leaders in this field. This test has enhanced the care of patients, through more rapid detection of P. aeruginosa and earlier informed clinical decision- making.
A new multi-purpose computer vision system to identify sub-standard food products has been created. The research developed a user-trainable software technology with a range of possible applications, thus overcoming the specificity and other limitations such as the high set-up cost of existing visual inspection systems. This research is achieving impact in several areas within the food industry, including quality analysis of fresh produce, food processing and food packaging. The technology is currently being trialled at the leading post-harvest applied research facility for agricultural storage in the UK, and is also being licensed to a world-leading supplier of food packaging machines and equipment for inclusion in a new product range under development. The longer-term impacts include safer food, reduced food waste, more efficient food production, and better use of natural resources (e.g. reduced use of water, pesticides and other inputs), through early detection of potentially harmful flaws in production and packaging.
Research; date; attribution:
Since 2005, EaStCHEM research expertise in electrochemistry and in sensing and detection, in partnership with University of Edinburgh researchers and expertise from the associated disciplines of medicine, engineering and physics and funded by the Scottish Intermediary Technology Institute (now Scottish Enterprise, SE) has formed a multidisciplinary team and developed the research outputs and novel platform technologies with enhanced detection characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, ability to handle clinical samples, rapid time-to-result) applicable to point-of-care diagnosis of wound infection state.
Significance: This technology was exclusively licensed from SE by Mölnlycke Health Care AB in 2012. Mölnlycke Health Care AB also established a new subsidiary, MHC Scotland Ltd in the BioQuarter in Edinburgh, to develop this technology, marking their entry into the multibillion dollar global point of care diagnostics market, as well as employing 5 UoE researchers.
Reach: Mölnlycke Health Care AB is a leading innovator in infection control in hospitals having ~7000 employees worldwide and with manufacturing plants in 9 countries.
Beneficiaries: The impact deriving from the underpinning research is to Mölnlycke Health Care AB as evidenced by formation of a significant new business venture and alteration of business practice, through the adoption and commercialisation of our new technology platform and the employment of 5 UoE staff from the research programme as human capital in MHC Scotland Ltd.
Glyndŵr researchers designed and developed ambient user interface devices and middleware (known as the `E-servant'), and evaluated the completed system, on an FP6 project developing near-to-market-ready prototypes of advanced kitchen appliances. Functionality included sensors in refrigerators that communicated if the door had been accidentally left open; in washing machines, RFID chips identified laundry and automatically selected correct programmes; other appliances, along with further sensors (e.g. smoke alarms) communicated their status via the E-servant to personalised user interfaces. Users could control the appliances, monitor them, and receive timely notifications. Impact relates to benefits to industrial partners and public engagement with research.