Isis Spin-outs Feature in Latest UK Government Report on Innovation
15 December 2011
Two of Isis’ spin-out companies are highlighted in the UK Government’s latest report on innovation. The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) published its ‘Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth’ report. The strategy, launched by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts, sets out the Government’s plans to boost economic growth through investment in research and innovation across the UK.
In 2007 Isis Innovation helped University of Oxford researchers spin-out Eykona Technologies, with Isis developing the preliminary business plan and bringing together a team of investors and managers to create the new business and develop the technology with the researcher inventors.
Eykona develops state-of-art imaging solutions to capture dermal characteristics and shape from the human body. Applying patented technology based on cutting-edge research from the University of Oxford, Eykona’s first product will address the substantial unmet need for objective measurement and clinical characterisation of hard-to-heal wounds such as diabetic and pressure ulcers.
The Eykona Wound Measurement System provides a full colour 3D model of the wound using a proprietary hand-held camera, advanced computer vision software and a disposable optical marker. The BIS report highlights Eykona’s success in winning funding under the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).
In 2008, Isis Innovation helped University of Oxford researchers spin-out a new company to develop Genie Smart Meter technology, now a part of Navetas Energy Management Ltd. As with all of the sixty Isis spin-outs created over the last ten years, Isis developed the initial business plan and brought together a team of investors and managers to create the new business and develop the technology with the researcher inventors.
The BIS report highlights how Isis worked with the Design Council on their ‘Innovate for Universities’ programme to research issues such as how the meter would be manufactured and installed and how it would present data to users. This was crucial to understanding the route to market for the technology and attracting industry and investor interest.
The report can be read online here.
Further details of companies mentioned above:
Isis News