Background
Medalytix is an established medical
technology SME based at Daresbury Science and
Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC). The company specialises in
developing products to automatically detect disease via the eye.
Established in spring 2006 as a one-person enterprise, and being
one of the first to move into the Daresbury Innovation
Centre, the company has reaped significant benefit from being
based on the Campus, grown to seven employees and secured £2.8
million in fundraising.
Area of Activity
Medalytix is currently actively engaged in
the marketing of software for detection of diabetes-related eye
disease (diabetic retinopathy), the leading cause of working-age
blindness. Medalytix offers software that is able to scan digital
retinal images, searching for these abnormalities. Images with
potential problems detected may then be passed on to specialists
trained to assess retinal images, who make a final judgement.
This innovation, the first of its kind worldwide, makes the
recommended annual retinal screening process for people with
diabetes more manageable, allowing faster and more reliable
assessment of images and ensuring that all images containing
anything suspicious are passed onto experts. Following an extensive
review of the clinical and economic data supporting the product,
the Scottish National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme have
approved implementation of the Medalytix iGrading software within
the NHS in Scotland.
Pipeline developments come from relationships with key academic
Institutions, and a commercialisation partnership with the
University of Manchester is in place under a significant grant for
the development of automated software for the early detection of
diabetic neuropathy, the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation
and the most costly burden of diabetes to health services
Progress to Date
Medalytix is actively engaged in the local and National support
networks, having worked with Business Link, UKTI and Medilink North
West - a professional association that services medical and
health technology companies, hospitals and universities in the
region.
The company has greatly benefited from being based on Campus,
having secured three grants, including one for regulatory support
advice and one for market research in USA. The Campus has raised
their awareness of the grant support available and also provided
opportunities for networking and links with regional Business
Schools. Projects have been undertaken by Lancaster, Liverpool and
Manchester Business Schools, with the latter providing a
comprehensive assessment of European market opportunities for the
company's lead product. Dr Joanne Phoenix, Director, says that
networking opportunities really make Daresbury SIC special, as the
Campus brings the right people together very easily.
Future Plans
The company's future plans include rolling out the international
sales of automated diabetic retinopathy screening and building its
pipeline of products dealing with automated screening for disease
via the eye. Medalytix is interested to collaborate with any
company or Institution that is developing software to analyse
digital images to detect disease.