RSS Feeds

Email a Friend Printer Friendly

Bishop of Oxford launches DiagnOx Laboratory

May 26, 2004

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Richard Harries, today officially launched the DiagnOx Laboratory, a unique facility to boost the commercialisation of UK diagnostics research. Located in Cherwell Innovation Centre, Oxfordshire, it provides offices and shared laboratory and equipment facilities where diagnostics researchers, or companies developing medical diagnostic products, can undertake prototyping and proof of concept work. They include Neuro-Diagnostics Ltd, a company founded by Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, Director of the Royal Institution.

The audience of high level academics, entrepreneurs and government representatives also heard that the DiagnOx Laboratory has secured further funding to cover operations for the next two years - a total package of over £440,000 with £337,000 from the DTI's Harnessing Genomics Programme and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), plus substantial in-kind support from Oxford Innovation and other partners.

The Bishop of Oxford said:
"I am delighted to officially open the DiagnOx Laboratory, which is already playing a significant role in helping diagnostic researchers turn their early stage ideas into new businesses. As a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics I have a keen interest in scientific advances that can benefit humanity. Products from innovative companies, such as those supported by DiagnOx, can enable better diagnosis of various diseases, resulting in healthcare improvements to benefit us all. The DiagnOx Laboratory provides a cost-effective, supportive environment so that many more researchers and companies can develop their diagnostic ideas into marketable products."

Since opening for business last October, the Laboratory has attracted strong interest and is already home to four new companies: Neuro-Diagnostics Ltd, a spin-off company from Oxford University's Pharmacology dept, co-founded by Baroness Greenfield and Bruce Savage, a serial entrepreneur with a career in the medical diagnostics industry. The company is developing a diagnostic test for the early detection of neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, motor neurone disease and Parkinson's disease. DiaMatrix Ltd has won an R&D Grant (SMART Award) to develop a new platform technology for "dipstick" diagnostic tests, such as pregnancy tests and illegal drug tests. The new rapid tests will simplify manufacturing, reduce costs and improve performance. The company is also developing a novel technology for biosensor fabrication. Oxford Bio-Innovation Ltd is developing new markers of diseases, and Ocuity Ltd specializes in licensing its innovative optical technology for display products, such as 2D/3D switchable cell phones, to manufacturing partners.

Baroness Susan Greenfield, co-founder of Neuro-Diagnostics, said:
"We are thrilled to be moving into the DiagnOx Laboratory because it offers exactly the sort of support we need for the successful development of Neuro-Diagnostics, to get our company off to a flying start. As well as premises on flexible terms, we also have access to finance from business angel investors - in fact, DiagnOx has already put us in touch with our first investor."

Lisa Mynheer, DiagnOx Manager, said:
"We are filling the gap in the market for effective business support for diagnostics entrepreneurs during the risky early stages. As well as premises and access to finance, the companies here receive help with IP protection, and commercial, regulatory and technical advice. They can also receive mentoring from professionals with experience in the diagnostics sector, and access partnering opportunities via the DiagnOx membership network and our specialist website - www.diagnox.co.uk."

Dr Clare Robinson, Bio Pharma & Healthcare Technologies Sector Manager at SEEDA, said:
"SEEDA is delighted to be backing the DiagnOx Laboratory. Previous support from SEEDA in developing both facilities and specialist business mentoring at DiagnOx has already proven the benefit to young companies and we wish to continue to build on this success. Oxfordshire has a world-class biotechnology and medical healthcare cluster. This facility should help to create a new generation of diagnostics companies - resulting in real healthcare improvements, wealth and jobs for the region."

Oxford Centre For Innovation