Edinburgh BioQuarter announces launch of i2Eye Diagnostics
World-first technology allows challenging patient groups to have field of vision tested for the first time First round investment will see first product launch inside six months.
Edinburgh BioQuarter today announced the launch of i2eye Diagnostics Limited, a company that will deliver the world's first visual field analyser for patient groups whose visual field was previously impossible to test, including young children and vulnerable adults.
i2eye Diagnostics has signed an agreement with the business investment syndicate Kelvin Capital and others for a significant strategic investment which will enable the company to complete the development of its world-first visual field testing instrument.
Existing visual field testing instruments depend on the patient's complete understanding, co-operation and considered feedback and involve keeping the patient's head still, staring at a fixed point for several minutes. Innovative new technology, known as SVOP (Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry), harnesses the patient's natural reactions to movement and light to analyse their visual field without any need for them to keep still, understand the test or give feedback to the tester. Visual field testing can now be performed on very young children as well as many elderly patients and other groups who could not previously be tested.
The technology behind the i2eye visual field analyser was developed over five years by a clinical research team at the University of Edinburgh consisting of ophthalmologists, neurologists and medical physicists and led by Robert Minns, Professor of Paediatric Neurology. The new company has been formed with a management team working closely with the Business Creation team at Edinburgh BioQuarter.
Peter Estibeiro, i2eye's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our instrument is a generation ahead of anything else currently on the market and has enormous potential. One of its first applications is in the monitoring and clinical management of children with brain tumours, where it can aid the decision making process potentially leading to a better outcome. The instrument will be on the market from the middle of 2012 and we are already seeing significant interest from leading paediatric medical centres around the world."
The value of the market targeted by i2eye is estimated at US$280 million in the United States, with markets of similar potential available in Europe and Asia. The company recently returned from exhibiting at the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Conference in Florida and experienced significant interest from practitioners and distributors spanning the globe.
Mike Capaldi, Commercialisation Director at Edinburgh BioQuarter, said: "i2eye Diagnostics is a world-first product in a solid market with a clear need for this kind of instrument. It's also an excellent example of the leading-edge research that's being undertaken at Edinburgh, and investors should expect to see more companies like i2Eye coming out of the BioQuarter in the months and years ahead."
1.About Edinburgh BioQuarter: Edinburgh BioQuarter is a joint venture between Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc, the NHS, the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Enterprise. Edinburgh BioQuarter commercialises world-leading medical research and brings investors, ideas and companies together at the BioQuarter campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh. www.edinburghbioquarter.com
2. About Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry(SVOP): SVOP is a Next Generation objective visual field analyser measuring instinctive responses to light and movement to meet clinical needs in paediatric and neuro ophthalmology
The SVOP instrument works by displaying a series of stimuli on a screen facing the patient. Unlike conventional visual field instruments the patient's head does not have to be kept still and nor do they have to fixate on a point. The patient has relatively free eye and body movement throughout the whole test. Non-contact eye tracking technology follows the movements of the patient's eyes in response to the stimuli and from this information the instrument calculates which points in the patient's field of vision have been seen and which have not been seen. The instrument then outputs a standard visual field map, which the doctor can examine to assist in their diagnosis or to monitor progression of a disease or treatment
A standard visual field test using current equipment depends on the patient keeping their head very still, usually in a clamp or chin rest, and fixating on a point within a dome. Points of light of a standard size and intensity (stimuli) illuminate sequentially at fixed positions within the dome and the patient has to indicate by means of a hand-held trigger whether or not they are seen. The test continues for several minutes until the operator has a complete map of the patient's visual field. The test demands that the patient fully understands the procedure and has the necessary attention-span, reflexes and co-ordination to complete the task successfully. It is not suitable for about 30% of the population including all young children and many elderly patients. The i2eye SVOP instrument reverses the paradigm and is able to test over 90% of the population including children under twelve months old.
For more information, video or photography, contact James Wood: 07834 288 899, email: james.wood@bioquarter.com