Systems promise to change the face of healthcare by providing on-the-spot answers in just 30 minutes for a range of diseases currently requiring lengthy laboratory referral
Enigma Diagnostics has appointed John Thornback as its new CEO. Spun out of the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down, the company is on a major commercialisation drive for its rapid diagnostic systems. Targeting the DNA of organisms, these systems promise to change the face of healthcare by providing on-the-spot answers in just 30 minutes for a range of diseases currently requiring lengthy laboratory referral.
The technology was originally developed for fast accurate battlefield detection of biological warfare agents such as anthrax, but its wider potential applications in both human and veterinary healthcare were soon recognised.
Two systems are close to market launch - NPT Gold for hospitals and clinics initially detecting Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases and PCR-Light for field applications such as foot and mouth and food poisoning outbreak detection.
John Thornback comes to Enigma with a successful track record of developing technology based companies.
He joins Enigma from Hammersmith Imanet, a joint venture between Amersham and the UK Medical Research Council, where he was managing director and visiting professor in the faculty of medicine at Imperial College.
He stated: "I am delighted to join Enigma at such an exciting time.
"DSTL has created the perfect vehicle for commercial success.
"The technology is already tried and tested in the field, funding is in place and substantial orders from the MOD and DOH are anticipated.
"My task is now to devise and implement a licensing and commercial strategy that will enable us to successfully exploit the many potential application areas both in the UK and internationally".
Enigma has been jointly funded by Partnerships UK and Porton Capital.
Porton Capital's managing director, Harvey Boulter, is pleased with Enigma's progress: "In the life sciences, companies are often spun out too early, which leads to the related problems of attracting sufficient investment and high calibre management.
"However, in this case, DSTL ensured that Enigma was ready - the technology proven, the applications clear - before spinning the company out, which in turn convinced us to invest.
"This has now enabled us to attract John who has the necessary skills and experience to take the company to the next level".
James Stewart, CEO of Partnerships UK, welcomed the appointment, saying: "This marks the next step in building Enigma into a major player in the diagnostics sector, thus helping fulfil PUK's mission to facilitate the public sector in realising significant value from investment in public assets and research.
"In addition to bringing major healthcare benefits, Enigma Diagnostics promises to recover significant value to the UK taxpayer through DSTL's continued shareholding".
