Technology

Posted on October 18, 2016 by staff

Disease detection spin-out receives funding for growth

Technology

A university technology spin-out which could help in the detection of a range of diseases has secured £500,000 in funding.

The tech behind Causeway Sensors’ scientific instruments is based on more than a decade of research at Queen’s University in Belfast.

Dr Robert Pollard, professor Robert Bowman and Dr John Nelson founded the company in 2013 and will now seek to commercialise the product thanks to the investment from Kernel Capital.

“This investment is a great confidence boost for Causeway Sensors and will allow us to expedite our growth plans to commercialise and scale our technology,” said CEO Dr Pollard.

One product developed by the company is the Affinity E- Series, a “compact, bench-top biosensor providing accurate real-time analysis at an accessible price”.

Jayne Brady, partner at Kernel Capital, added: “It is great to see another Queen’s University spin-out thriving.

“Causeway Sensors is a prime example of the success that can be achieved from bringing a concept through the research to commercialisation process.

“This investment will therefore help Causeway to develop the potential of its nanotechnology, and to grow and scale both nationally and internationally, while also stimulating the local economy and creating new employment opportunities in areas where Northern Ireland has world class leadership.”

Leading UK managed IT service provider GCI has secured a £50m acquisition growth fund to support its strategic objectives.