Spin-Out Companies
The technology transfer unit of Dstl has been responsible for creating new ventures over several years. These include both spin-out companies and strategic joint ventures. These new companies benefit local economic development and they have created many new jobs in the regions in which they are located. Examples of companies specifically created to commercialise Dstl technology are listed below.
Sherwood Therapeutics Ltd
Sherwood is a spinout involving both Dstl and the University of Nottingham and arising from collaborative work into wound healing. In both civilian and defence markets there is a recognised need for improved wound care products. The Company is in a strong position to develop novel healthcare products based on an understanding of parasite-derived natural molecules. The Company’s pipeline of novel potential product lines includes active moieties for use in wound care and immunomodulation.
ProKyma Technologies Ltd
ProKyma is exploiting Dstl's world leading IPR position in the use of ultrasound to move micro-particulates for sample preparation, such as microbial concentration, for introduction into detection systems. ProKyma was formed to exploit these improvements in separation technologies.
ProKyma’s Sonic Separation technology concentrates and purifies cells or micro-organisms for molecular biology and diagnostic applications. Sonic Separation can be used to analyse cell aggregates, for example in blood grouping and serology.
Acolyte Biomedica Ltd
Acolyte Biomedica, sold to 3M™ Medical Diagnostics in February 2007, developed proprietary diagnostic systems primarily for clinical microbiology using the Dstl’s adenylate kinase (AK) bioluminescence technology. Products include the BacLite® MRSA test, approved for clinical use, and the “BacLite® RapiTECT™” kit for accurate quantification of bacteria by research laboratories.
Alaska Food Diagnostics Ltd
Alaska is developing an ultra-rapid diagnostic technology to protect food retailers, distributors and manufacturers and, most importantly, the general public against bacterial contamination of food and drink. By using Dstl’s adenylate kinase AK bioluminescence technology, together with bacteriophage technology developed by Defra, the presence of pathogenic bacteria can be tested throughout the food distribution chain in a timely fashion.
Enigma Diagnostics Ltd
Enigma's mission is to become a world leader in the rapid detection and identification of bacteria and viruses in environmental and biological samples at the point of sampling. Enigma's polymerase chain technology (PCR) technology has wide applications especially in the biothreat, veterinary and point of care diagnostic markets.
Porton Plasma Innovations Ltd
P2i Ltd’s plasma surface coating process gives everyday products extraordinary levels of oil and water repellency. An ultra-thin P2i plasma surface enhancement can be applied to fully assembled products, even complex 3-D structures made of different materials. The P2i followed on from targeted government research in using pulsed radio frequency energy to activate chemicals for them to deposit (as a polymeric layer a few nanometres thick) onto articles. The surface of the object gains the properties of the plasma (e.g. water-repellence) leaving the other, desirable properties of the object unchanged.
