IN BUSINESS Sensing specialists win research prize
THREE companies developing products boosting dayto-day life gave won free access to more than £3m of cutting edge facilities at the I-TAC research base at Sci-Tech Daresbury.
The main winner IF Sensing will be able use the site for six months at no cost and the prize also includes specialist support at the Campus Technology Hub and business advice.
Two runners up will have three months and one month access.
IF Sensing is a spin-off of the University Of Manchester And Central Manchester University Teaching Hospital Trust.
The firm is developing a home monitoring device for kidney disease.
A Sci-Tech Daresbury spokeswoman said it is the first of its kind to be used in out-of-clinic set- tings.
She said the device is bloodless, pain-free and will be used by kidneydisease patients, as well as the general public for monitoring renal health.
It is hoped that empowering patients to take control of their healthcare at home boosts quality of life and is becoming a higher priority as pressures on healthcare systems increase.
Global BioDiagnostics won the second place prize.
The company is developing low-cost, handheld tests for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases for use all over the world with the aim of helping developing countries by reducing the wait for results from hours to 30 minutes.
In third place was Hemsted & Co, which is developing a proof of concept for an anti-pollution mark designed for heavy aerobic activities to protect against pollutants while being comfortable without affecting performance.
The brainchild of triathlete, entrepreneur and marathon runner Philip Hemsted, the idea came about after a study commissioned by Greater London Authority and Transport For Londond suggested that twice as many Londoners as previously though die prema- turely from pollution, with 9,500 in the capital every year.
Andrew Roberts, IF Sensing operations manager, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the I-TAC Challenge Competition. “Having access to all the technology, expertise and business support available at I-TAC means that over the next six months we will signifi- cantly enhance our range of prototypes and test ideas that may not otherwise have been possible, or affordable. The huge networking opportunities available at Daresbury are also a major attraction for us as we look to connect to potential development partners in the coming months.”
Michael Norris, head of business incubation at Sci-Tech Daresbury’s parent organisation STFC, said: “The sheer diversity of applications we received for the challenge is proof that I-TAC can provide real tangible benefits to small technology companies with exciting ideas, regardless of the sector they are in.
“We are really looking forward to supporting our winners all the way to ensure that they get the most out of their time here as they work towards addressing some of society’s key challenges.”