Oxford, January 24, 2011 - Oxford Medical Diagnostics, a developer of advanced diagnostic technology for rapid, accurate and low-cost diagnosis and monitoring of disease and metabolic functions, announces today that Professor Graham Richards is joining the company’s Science Advisory Panel.
Professor Richards brings his considerable expertise in life sciences. He has also contributed to the success of a number of technology-based start-up companies and will be able to advise the company on its development strategy.
“Graham Richards boosts the scientific excellence in the Oxford Medical Diagnostics team and will provide valuable input on our development strategy,” said Oxford Medical Diagnostics CEO, Tony Marchington. “Our Science Advisory Panel includes leading international scientists and a wide range of experience in the science and technology field.”
Professor Richards was a co-founder of one of Oxford University’s most successful spin-offs, along with Marchington. The company, Oxford Molecular Group plc, reached a FTSE 250 valuation of GBP 475 million. Professor Richards is one of the leading computational chemists in the UK, with over 300 publications. He served as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Oxford University from 1997 to 2007. He is head of the Centre for Computational Drug Discovery at Oxford. Throughout his career, Professor Richards has been involved in the commercialization of technologies. In 2001, he founded InhibOx Ltd. He was a director of ISIS Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford’s technology transfer company and was involved for several years with the Wellcome Trust in a similar capacity. He is also a main board director (formerly chairman) of IP Group plc, the listed intellectual property commercialization company.
Other members of the Science Advisory Panel are:
Prof Gus Hancock, Director of Science & Chairman of the Science Advisory Panel. Gus Hancock is Professor of Chemistry, University of Oxford and the inventor and developer of the CEAS and Broadband technologies.
Prof Fran Ashcroft, Senior Consultant Royal Society GlaxoSmithKline Research Professor, University of Oxford. She is a Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford and, with Kay Davies and Peter Donnelly is a director of the Oxford Centre for Gene Function. Her research group has an international reputation for work on insulin secretion, Type II diabetes and neonatal diabetes.
Dr Ewan Bell, Consultant Clinical Biochemist Dr Bell is a senior consultant biochemist at the Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary specializing in the diagnosis and monitoring of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Prof Albert Crowe, PES Science Director Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, Queen’s University, Belfast, Chair of Physics at Newcastle University in 1991, heading the Physics Department from 1995 until restructuring in 2002.
Dr Wolfgang Denzer, Clinical Director Dr Denzer is a recognized authority on Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopy (CEAS and Broadband CEAS) and Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS) as well as chemistry protocols required for breath analysis.
Dr Peter Hutchison, Consultant Medical Officer Dr Hutchison is a Senior Partner at the Greyfriars Medical Centre, Dumfries, and an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Dr Hutchison works closely with senior clinicians at the Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Dr Rob Peverall, Science Director Formerly a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Dr Peverall is a leading world expert in both laser and plasma emission spectroscopy.
Prof Terence Risby, Senior Consultant Joined Oxford Medical Diagnostics from the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (U.S). His laboratory developed breath markers for biosynthesis of cholesterol, liver function and disease, and nutritional status.
Dr Grant Ritchie, Senior Chemist Dr Ritchie is a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford and is a part-time Senior Scientist with the Company.
About Oxford Medical Diagnostics
Oxford Medical Diagnostics Ltd is developing a unique blend of technology that makes it possible to provide rapid, accurate and low-cost diagnosis and monitoring of disease and metabolic functions. Its initial objective is to bring to market a non-invasive point-of-care (at-patient) diagnostic instrument to detect diabetes types 1 and 2. The OMD approach is based on development of breath analysis, potentially a highly accurate method of diagnosis, where it has already achieved significant results. In the case of diabetes, this involves the detection of acetone in the patient’s breath. The company’s expertise also allows it to offer an industrial gas analysis service, giving it an on-going revenue stream. Proprietary technologies include Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (CEAS), based on tunable diode lasers, Broadband Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (BBCEAS), which uses a superluminescent light emitting diode and Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (PES). Unlike many early-stage technology companies, OMD has already brought together a highly experienced management team whose members have excellent track records of success in company development and technology. The company has raised GBP 1.26 million in funding from its management team and private investors. It maintains close links with the University of Oxford and academics around the world.
For more information: http://www.omdiagnostics.com
Lynne Chapman ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES http://www.ala.com lynne@ala.com
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