8/7/2019 NETWorks - Micro Diagnostics 010609

1/2

NETWorks Microdiagnostics debate

In the fast-changing world of healthcare, miniaturised diagnostics candeliver real benefits to patients and healthcare providers. MIKE PARKER

was in the audience at a debate held at NETPark to explore its potential

IN recent years, long-distance travellers have increasingly been seen sporting

new leg garments that closely resemble the once fashionable pop socks.

And, while they may not be the best look for a 50-year-old businessman in a suit,

compression tights are the footwear of choice on long-haul flights because they

are the only readily accessible method to tackle deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Thecondition, where a clot can form in the deep vein in a persons leg with often

fatal consequences, has particularly been linked to longer aircraft flights.

According to a report by the Surgeon General in the US, DVTs occur in about one

in every 1,000 people each year. In a paper calling for action to prevent these

blood clots, the US Department of Health and Human Sciences estimated that

approximately 350,000 to 600,000 Americans each year suffer from DVT and at

least 100,000 deaths may be directly or indirectly related to this condition.

A team of scientists at the University of Teesside is thinking small when it comes

to finding the most cost effective way to combat this large-scale health threat.

Professor Zulfiqur Ali, Assistant Dean in the universitys School of Science and

Technology and Director of the Technology Futures Institute, is leading the team

which is developing a point-of-care device to detect DVT.

They are using polymer substrates to create a low-cost, disposable device that

ordinary members of the public can use. The team is exploring hot embossing

and injection moulding techniques to make the product.

Prof Ali chaired a debate on the role of microdiagnostics held at the North East

Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield. He said: Microdiagnostics offers thepotential for the early detection of disease. If you can detect diseases before the

physical symptoms become apparent you have a better chance of a cure. We

also have to provide care at the point of need.

Microdiagnostics has enormous implications for changing the face of global

healthcare both from a cost perspective and in providing cutting edge

diagnostics right at the point where they are most needed and where

laboratories are unavailable.

Also speaking at the NETPark debate hosted in partnership with the Electronics

KTN - was Professor Peter Fielden, Professor of Analytical Science at Manchester

8/7/2019 NETWorks - Micro Diagnostics 010609

2/2

University, who outlined how his team has been working on devices to detect

troponin one of the markers used to detect heart disease.

Prof Fielden also highlighted the wider applications of microdiagnostics in the

security sector, explaining how handheld devices were being developed to

analyse inorganic materials used in explosives such as the nail bomb that wasdetonated in the Admiral Duncan pub in May 1999.

Dale Athey, a former biochemist in the NHS and now chief executive officer at

Orla Protein Technologies Ltd, told a 40-strong audience at the event that

microdiagnostics was driving the growth in decentralised healthcare.

Mr Atheys company, which spun out of Newcastle University in 2002, uses

protein engineering to produce a range of applications including more accurately

detecting bacteria, viruses or proteins in blood.

He explained how his company had formed a joint venture with Japaneseelectronics manufacturer Japan Radio Company, to use Orlas technology in

diagnostic devices which can be used by doctors and paramedics to perform

tests on patients without the need for complex equipment.

But, taking a bright idea and turning it in to a profitable product is both long and

expensive, according to Mr Athey. He said: From the university bench to

commercialisation is a long and arduous route. There are many mistakes that

can be made along the way.

This is down to the fact that the commercial opportunity is right at the high end

of the risk curve. There is quite a tortuous route to getting a technology throughto making some commercial gain. Theres a lot we can share on how we can do

that successfully.

Mr Athey quoted data from the US indicating that it can take between $50m to

$100m to get a diagnostic test to the market and he pointed out that scientists

needed to think about their business model as well as their technical one.

Microdiagnostics clearly has an exciting role to play in the future development of

healthcare and security, not least for its ability to provide faster analysis and

response times, high-throughput analysis, lower fabrication costs and a safer

platform for chemical, radioactive or biological studies. However, with

commercialisation costs still incredibly high, it will be the best business cases

that will head the field.

To hear the event in full, visit (INSERT WEB LINK TO PODCAST

HERE)

END