THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has launched a new company aiming to transform prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
HaemAnalytica has developed technology which enables healthcare providers to identify patients most likely to benefit from blood-thinning medication.
This would improve the effectiveness of such treatment by focussing its use on only those for whom it would be most beneficial, and help avoid prescribing it to those who might suffer from side-effects.
The technology is being developed to allow healthcare providers to use it directly where patients are being treated, such as in hospitals or GP surgeries.
This advancement comes at a time when Universities UK research shows that university spin-outs are creating major economic impact across the UK.
The University of Reading is part of the Universities UK #UnisStartUpTheUK campaign to raise awareness of the value of university research.
The company was founded by a team of University of Reading researchers from the School of Biological Sciences: Chief Scientific Officer Professor Jon Gibbins, Chief Technical Officer Dr Chris Jones, and Chief Operating Officer Dr Gemma Little.
All three scientists have significant research backgrounds related to the circulatory system, including heart disease, thrombosis, and platelets.
As well as healthcare applications, HaemAnalytica is also targeting clinical research and drug development markets, where the higher accuracy and cost-effectiveness of their process could accelerate future advancements such as new medications.
Business development has been supported by the Knowledge Exchange and External Partnerships (KEEP) team at the University, whose remit covers working collaboratively with businesses to help them solve problems and create growth, and to help researchers turn their academic work into viable commercial enterprises.
HaemAnalytica is one of two biomedical technology companies to have been ‘spun out’ from University of Reading research this year.
The launch comes as Universities UK reveals that by 2028, around 27,000 new start-ups with a predicted turnover of approximately £10.8bn could be established at higher education institutions across the UK, highlighting the importance of sustainable funding for university innovation.
Dr Gemma Little, Chief Operating Officer at HaemAnalytica, said: “Currently, medications that thin the blood are often prescribed to prevent stroke-causing blood clots, or heart attacks–but the benefit of these approaches is limited because currently a ‘one size fits all’ approach is used.
“This means that for every patient who avoids thrombosis, another may experience serious bleeding as a side effect.
“Our tests allow for more accurate stratifying of patients, which will enable doctors to make personalised choices for each patient for better quality of life.”
Guy Hembury, Director of Knowledge Exchange Commercialisation & Partnerships at the University of Reading, said: “HaemAnalytica represents another significant milestone in our mission to transform cutting-edge research into solutions that address pressing healthcare challenges.
“The journey from laboratory discovery to viable medical technology requires not just scientific excellence, but also the right innovation ecosystem to nurture these ideas.
“As part of the #UnisStartUptheUK campaign, we’re demonstrating how universities serve as powerful engines for both scientific advancement and economic prosperity.
“Each spin-out success strengthens our vision of creating a thriving innovation corridor that retains talent and attracts investment to the region.”
