MFL Science & Technology Insurance Brokers, the specialist insurance adviser to the digital and
creative businesses, has launched an insurance solution specifically for the games sector. The
insurance programme, GameInsure, is underwritten by a number of leading specialist insurers.

Gareth Greaves-Milner of MFL explains, “Obtaining appropriate insurance protection and good advice
is a major issue for businesses operating in the games sector. Our Gameinsure programme offers a
bespoke solution that addresses the key risks faced by game developers, in particular in relation to
managing intellectual property and the demands placed on businesses in terms of hitting milestones
and other tight deadlines.”

Gameinsure can provide insurance protection on a modular basis in relation to Professional Indemnity,
Office and Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance.

More information is provided on MFL’s website at www.m-f-l.co.uk/gameinsure

The delegation had over 40 one-to-one meetings with some of the region’s leading healthcare and medical technology companies at a meet-the-buyer event organised by Medilink Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The aim of the event was to showcase Yorkshire’s cutting edge innovations and highlight to the Indian buyers what the region has to offer; strengthening international business between the two countries.

India’s healthcare market is currently valued at an estimated US$35 billion and is expected to reach over US$75 billion by 2012*. Around 70 per cent of Indian medical devices are imported and the trip offered immense potential for Yorkshire’s healthcare community. 

During the visit, the group was introduced to academics from York University and given a site tour around one of the UK’s leading theatre equipment manufacturers Brandon Medical.

Examples of the areas the Indian delegation were interested in are innovative medical devices, including advanced wound care, orthopaedic and respiratory anaesthetics products; as well as clinical trials, laboratory technology and healthcare training.

British expertise in early diagnosis, infection control and hospital design and construction were of particular interest to the delegation, who were looking to identify ways to improve healthcare in India.

Charlotte Fraser, International Manager at Medilink Y&H and regional sector specialist for UKTI, said: “Yorkshire is a world leader in healthcare, and this was a great opportunity for companies such as Brandon Medical to sell to the Indian market. These buyers are experts in their fields and are keen to take advantage of the broad range of talent amongst our healthcare professionals.

“The strong historical and cultural links between the UK and India and our excellent reputation in healthcare makes the UK a natural partner for the Indian healthcare industry.”

A COMPANY producing a 'Lego kit' for cell biologists, a firm wanting to manufacture luxury motor yachts in Hull and a healthcare business that has devised a system that monitors patients via GSM were among the Yorkshire companies pitching for investment to venture capitalists at the latest Connect Yorkshire Investment Forum.

This year’s presenters included:

Activ4Life Healthcare Technologies Ltd
Data Equation
Diamond Microwave Devices
Game Frontier
Humber Motor Yachts
Kirkstall Ltd
Peak Publishing
Pulse
Slipstream Energy Ltd

The event, held at York Racecourse, saw representatives of venture capital firms in London, Scotland, Birmingham and Oxford including MMC, Scottish Equity Partners, Advent Venture Partners and Catapult attending to look for investment opportunities.

This year’s exhibitors included:

CompetitiveUrge Ltd
Crisis Survivor
Innovative Digital Networks
Sensdata
Style Account
Unishower Ltd

Connect Yorkshire’s Investment Forum event was sponsored by Business Link

TechTalk 2009

The afternoon part of the event also saw David Aldridge, vice president of US software giant Oracle, speak at the TechTalk 2009 afternoon session and then join a panel discussion with Lee Strafford, director of The Netstart and founder of internet service provider PlusNet and the chairman of football club Sheffield Wednesday; entrepreneur Mike Briercliffe, owner of Briercliffe Associates and Chris Neale, head of operations at The Ultimate People Company.
Mr Aldridge said that Oracle, which is acquiring US hardware business Sun, is seeing growth in business from medium sized firms despite the economic downturn.

The panel discussion focussed on issues including cloud computing and how it is developing and how well it can work as well as how established industry giants such as Microsoft can respond to the challenge of newer players such as Google.

David Parkin, Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, chaired the panel discussion.

TechTalk 2009 was sponsored by Science City York.
 

The Yorkshire Forward Access to Finance for Healthcare Technology Companies programme was launched earlier this year and is already supporting a number of companies seeking funding to grow and develop.

A free half day introductory seminar will be held at the offices of Grant Thornton on Broadfield Court, Sheffield on Wednesday 15 July starting at 8.30. As spaces are limited, interested companies should register their details at www.investinginhealth.co.uk, and will then be contacted to receive their place.

The Access to Finance programme gives healthcare technology companies the knowledge, advice, tools and resources needed to access equity funding from national and international investors.

The introductory seminar, which is the first of a series of activities on the programme, will provide companies with an insight into what investors are looking for, current investment trends and an understanding of how the programme can make them investor ready.

Programme manager Phil Whaley of Grant Thornton said: “These seminars will not only provide companies with more information about the programme itself but will also give people an opportunity to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, build their networks and learn more about equity funding in general.

“As companies come in all shapes and sizes, we aim to signpost them to the appropriate sources of funding or, if we believe there are areas that need to be addressed prior to funding, we help identify what these issues might be and how they can be overcome. Experience shows that taking the time up-front helps increase the chances of securing funding by presenting a credible business proposition to providers of finance.”

The Access to Finance programme, managed by Grant Thornton, forms part of Yorkshire Forward’s ongoing strategy to support the development of the healthcare technologies industry in Yorkshire and Humber.

Visit www.investinginhealth.co.uk to find out more about the event or to register your place.
 

The region’s premier healthcare event, which is expected to attract over 200 delegates from across the sector, is sponsored by leading medical device specialists, Xiros plc and supported by Business Link, Access to Finance, CPD for Health, Medipex and Hull Forward.

Taking place at The Royal Armouries, Leeds on 8th July 2009, the event showcases the cream of the region’s Healthcare Technologies sector celebrating cutting edge innovation, outstanding business achievements and international success.

It is also a great networking opportunity for the healthcare community (industry, clinical and academic) providing them with a chance to hear from a range of specialists on topics such as how to raise venture capital in challenging economic times (George Whitehead, Business Developer, NESTA) and the importance of innovation for UK Healthcare Technologies (Peter Ellingworth, CEO, ABHI).  Adam Cairns, CEO, Airedale NHS Trust, will be talking on Telehealth and the critical need of implementation of it for the future of the NHS.

The awards - Innovation Award, Export Achievement Award, Growth in Sector Award, Start Up Award and Partnership with the NHS Award - are being judged by a panel of highly respected healthcare professionals and winners will be announced on the day. 

Below are the shortlisted nominees for this year’s awards:

• UDL Innovation Award - AGA Healthcare (Hebden Bridge), (Brandon Medical Company Ltd (Leeds) and Tissuemed Ltd (Leeds). The award recognises the development of an innovative technology, design or process, which has produced a major improvement in business performance or enhanced user benefit.

„X UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Export Achievement Award - Downs Surgical Ltd, (Sheffield), Tissuemed Ltd (Leeds) and Trio Healthcare Ltd (Skipton). The award celebrates outstanding performance in international trade. 

• Eversheds Growth in Sector Award - Paxman Coolers (Huddersfield), Single Use Surgical Ltd (Barnsley) and Trio Healthcare (Skipton). This award is for companies who have enjoyed consistent, sustainable, and profitable growth within the sector.

• Yorkshire Bank Start Up Award – Imagel Ltd (York), Intervene Ltd (Sheffield) and Neotherix Ltd (York).  The award for newly established companies in the healthcare sector that, trading for up to 3 years, show a promising future.

• Jonathan Lee Recruitment Partnership with the NHS Award – Independent Care Products Ltd (Halifax), Leeds Reproductive Bioscience (Leeds) and Medcom (York). The NHS award recognises collaboration with the NHS that has, or will have major impact or benefit on business performance or patient care.

The Beacon Award will also be received by an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to healthcare.

The winner of each category will be automatically put forward for the national Medilink Awards which take place later next year.

Kevin Kiely, Managing Director of Medilink (Y&H) said: “Congratulations to all the companies that have been shortlisted. In the present economic downturn it has been encouraging to see the high standard of excellence in innovation, from within the region’s Health Technologies sector. This event is one of the region’s premier networking events and the Medilink team is looking forward to meeting the healthcare community on the day.”

To book your free place at the event please contact Nikola Alevizos on 0114 222 6317, email n.alevizos@medilink.co.uk

Is a lack of funding preventing you from investing in your new ideas?

Do you have new and innovative ideas to bring to market?

If so, the LAA-backed Wakefield Investment Grant (WIG) from Wakefield first can help bring your projects to life.

The WIG, which is made available by first and funded through the Wakefield District Partnership’s Local Area Agreement, supports pre-start, young and established businesses operating in the Wakefield District. Financial contributions of up to £5,000 are available towards projects that will enhance business strength, improve performance and create new opportunities for local residents and communities. Businesses that are less than 18 months old can apply for support of up to 40% of project costs and established businesses can receive up to 30%. You will also benefit from the support of a dedicated Investment Officer who will provide advice and assistance as your project progresses.

first is particularly interested in projects that involve:

• New product development
• Ideas that would reduce cost and increase productivity
• IT developments and the use of e-commerce
• Environmental projects that address green issues
• Crime reduction measures

To apply for the grant simply download and complete a grant application form from www.wakefieldfirst.com/support, giving basic details about your organisation and proposed project. Applications will be considered by a first Grant Appraisal Officer, with the most promising business’ proposals shortlisted to progress their applications.

Last year a total of £93,000 was awarded to 14 local companies. Mike Pickles, Managing Director of Really Useful Products Ltd, applied to the grant scheme in 2008/09 in order to support the purchase of an injection moulding machine. He said:

“The grant has enabled us to enhance our production capacity so we are now able to manufacture a product that we were previously sourcing from Italy.” The company relocated to Normanton in 2007 and have since grown their workforce by over 200%, making the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list in 2007.

Stevan Taylor, Director of the Foodamentalists Ltd, producers of natural alternatives to ready meals, is delighted with the impact the first grant scheme has had on his business:

“For a long time I have been dreaming of starting my own business and the grant allowed me to do exactly that. The advice and support I received from first was excellent and I would recommend the WIG scheme to other new businesses.”

Paul Barrett, Head of Investment and Marketing at first, said:

"This is a great opportunity for innovative companies in the District to fast track their growth. A lot of potentially great businesses and business ideas are lost due to lack of means to fulfil their potential, with this grant we are helping generate a range of competitive businesses in the District."

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis throughout the year; interested businesses are encouraged to submit an application early to have the greatest prospects of success.

More information on the grant and a downloadable application form are available at www.wakefieldfirst.com/support

Alternatively, contact Andrew Tennant by PHONE: 01924 305828 or EMAIL: atennant@wakefield.gov.uk

Following the success of the first international ENT conference in 2007, Sheffield based Downs Surgical, the UK’s premier surgical instrument manufacturer, in association with The Royal College of Surgeons of England, is delighted to announce the second specialist conference to be held in Egypt.

The conference - Advances in ENT Surgery, Key Innovations in the Treatment of Head & Neck Cancer - will act as a forum for ENT surgeons from across the Middle East to discuss and exchange clinical experiences, in the interest of providing the best possible care for their patients.

It will offer surgeons the opportunity to come together to discuss the most recent developments and to link these advances to evidence based practice in order to develop the surgical service they offer their patients.

There will also be a generous sharing of expertise between faculty and delegates, an element which is crucial for both surgeons and surgical innovators.
 
Mr Ghassan Alusi, Otorhinolaryngology Tutor, The Royal College of Surgeons of England and Consultant Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, Barts and the London NHS Trust, said: “Surgeons from all around the world have a shared responsibility for maintaining the very highest standards of clinical practice and it’s important that they share their experience and clinical expertise with one another. Communication and collaboration is the key to healthcare success and this conference offers the perfect platform to do this.”

This is the second ENT conference, which has taken place in Egypt and the location was chosen because of Downs Surgical’s strong links within the country.

Steve Spurgin, International Business Manager at Downs Surgical, said: “ENT surgery is one of the most complex and demanding surgical specialties in the world and we are delighted to be able to offer this platform for surgeons to come together and share their clinical expertise.   The first conference was a great success and we received some fantastic feedback and are looking forward to replicating this success once again.”

The event will take place between from 11-12 November 2009 at The Ritz Carlton in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

To find out more about the event or book your place you can contact you local Downs distributor or email the Downs Surgical Events Team at gemma.thornton@downs-surgical.com
 

28th May 2009

By Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com

YORKSHIRE firm GO-SIM, which provides pre-paid global SIM cards for mobile phones, has launched a service giving people access to email anywhere in the world on their mobile.

The York-based business's new service enables users of its international SIM card to access their email and manage it by simple voice prompts.

Access to the new Voice2Email service will be provided to all GO-SIM customers free of charge enabling them to connect with their email accounts anywhere within the 175 countries currently covered by the GO-SIM mobile service.
By setting up a profile with GO-SIM online, the user can then call a special access number using their International SIM card and listen to their emails whenever they travel.

Users can also manage their email, create new mails, and reply and forward them.

GO-SIM received a further £250,000 investment from the Yorkshire and Humber Equity Fund last year following the regional venture capital fund's investment in the company in 2007.

Mark Blakeston, chief technical officer of GO-SIM, said of the new service: “We are delighted to be offering this exciting new service. Even though we already offer GPRS and 3G services via our International SIM card, the new Voice2Email product will appeal to anyone wanting quick and easy access to their email without connecting to the Internet or using special hardware.

"However, it is the ability to update the status on Twitter by using voice commands which we believe is really clever and will be of real interest to many of our customers”.

The service is prepaid and a range of online tools means that users can manage their SIM card account, check call history, send free SMS and even set up auto-recharge.

GO-SIM has taken advantage of the fact that customers can face expensive charges when using mobile phones outside the UK due to costly roaming charges.

The GO-SIM Global SIM works in more than 140 countries and unlike standard UK network providers, incoming calls and texts are free in many countries, enabling travellers to save up to 85% on the bill that would normally await them.
To use GO-SIM, customers simply swap their existing SIM card with the GO-SIM Global SIM card each time they travel abroad.

Based on an original concept from Isaacs UK, the early years creative learning consultancy (www.isaacsuk.co.uk), Dream Catcher aims to capture young children's ideas and interests by using child-friendly technologies to record things that are important to them. Each short recording forms the starting point for shared discussions with the parent, carer or other adults in the child’s life, opening up powerful channels of shared communication between families, friends, and early years professionals. Futurelab’s findings are the result of a research project where children used PDAs and digital cameras to capture their experiences both in and out of their early years settings. The research explored how digital technologies could support children’s informal learning, facilitate ‘child voice’ and build bridges between the children’s homes and early years settings. 

The Dream Catcher project showed how children sharing recordings from home could help practitioners learn more about the children in their care, find out more about their home life and better understand their broader cultural contexts. Parents also gained insights into their children’s experiences at their early years settings during the day – discovering much more by talking to their children about their photos and videos than by asking them what they had been doing today.

Parents and practitioners felt that the immediacy of the images children captured were useful in providing a tool to help children remember and connect their learning between environments

Ruth Churchill Dower, Director of Isaacs UK, said: “We developed the concept to help increase positive communications between children, their parents and early years professionals. Dream Catcher is a process which helps to bring them closer together, using children’s ideas as the starting point. It especially helps parents understand how much informal learning happens through play and how to better understand and nurture their child’s potential. We have had really positive feedback from both parents and professionals involved in this project, who found that Dream Catcher helped them to listen more closely to what their children are saying. ”

Lyndsay Grant, Learning Researcher at Futurelab, commented: “Dream Catcher facilitates the expression of child voice as it supports children to develop their ideas of what it is they want to say and express. Dream Catcher helps to make their learning more visible – for young children themselves, for parents and for practitioners. By giving children control over what they choose to record and say about their ideas, projects such as Dream Catcher can support child-centred learning in both early years settings and homes.  It may also provide a vehicle for parents and professionals to discover more about children’s informal learning within and outside specific educational settings.”

Further information on Isaacs UK and Futurelab’s Dream Catcher research including video footage can be viewed at http://www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/dream-catcher
 

The level of healthcare innovation has also been raised this year with some of the world’s leading technologies being showcased at the event by Yorkshire companies.  An example of this is the world’s first surgical ‘cling film’, which acts as a barrier to air, blood and other fluids encountered in surgery.  Designed and manufactured by Leeds based Tisuemed Ltd the TissuePatch product family – a range of ultra-thin, synthetic, highly adherent films - has the potential to revolutionise many surgical procedures worldwide. 

Wetherby based Kapitex, who specialises in upper airway and respiratory management equipment for laryngectomy and tracheostomy patients, is offering a number of great commercial opportunities for distributors across Latin America and is uses the show to explore new business opportunities. 
 
Having already established a global reputation for quality across Europe, the Middle East, Japan and America, Kapitex is hoping to replicate this success in South America and will be attending the show to meet with potential distributors and explore new relationships.

Another Leeds-based company, who are renowned specialists in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is using the event to establish the specific needs of Latin American laparoscopic surgeons. Surgical Innovations, who specialise in creative solutions for minimally invasive surgery, is keen to access the Latin American market and are in Brazil to talk to surgeons personally to learn more about their specific needs.

Graham Bowland Managing Director of Surgical Innovations Ltd said: “We are committed to exceeding our customers expectations so are looking forward to meeting surgeons in Brazil and seeing how our in-house design and manufacturing facilities in Yorkshire can help drive international healthcare sectors forward. It’s an exciting opportunity and hopefully the start of some exciting business opportunities.
 
Speaking from the exhibition Charlotte Fraser, International Manager at Medilink Y&H and regional sector specialist for UKTI, said: “HOSPITALAR is the leading trading point for new technologies and represents a great opportunity for Yorkshire companies to promote the wide range of cutting edge innovations and pioneering technologies that are being developed and manufactured in Yorkshire.
 
“We have been attending the show, on behalf of UKTI and Yorkshire for over 5 years now and each year it has been a greater success.  Our region is renowned for cutting edge innovations and high quality products and this is an exciting opportunity for the Latin American healthcare industry to partner with the UK and in particular the Yorkshire region.”
 
If you are a healthcare technology company based in the Yorkshire region and are interested in finding out more about Medilink Y&H or exporting to international companies please contact Charlotte Fraser on c.fraser@medilink.co.uk or call 0114 222 7453.
 

The Access to Finance programme, launched by Yorkshire Forward in February, has developed new working relationships with Medipex, the regional NHS Innovation Hub and Medilink (Yorkshire and Humber), the membership organisation which facilitates growth in the regional medical industry.

This new alliance will enable regional businesses in the healthcare technology sector to tap into investment expertise and advice from the Access to Finance programme, alongside the innovation and NHS insight of Medipex Ltd and the extensive network of Medilink.

Phil Whaley of Grant Thornton, manager of the Access to Finance programme, said: “There is a real synergy between our programme and the work of these two organisations. Both are helping to stimulate the growth of the sector in the region by supporting medical innovation and the Access to Finance programme is helping to attract investment for this innovation.”

Medipex is helping companies to develop R&D collaborations with the NHS, by identifying staff who can evaluate concepts or products and clinicians who can carry out clinical trials.

Richard Clark, chief executive of Medipex Ltd, welcomes the alliance. He said: “Working with the Access to Finance programme will strengthen our proposition to companies in the region. As a team we will be able to offer all the advice and expertise needed for early stage development of a product.

 “Over the last three years Medipex has helped establish five new healthcare businesses in the region and we value the relationship with the Access to Finance programme in order to assist these companies to get early stage investment and to grow.”

The Access to Finance for Healthcare Technology Companies programme is a sponsor of this year’s Medilink Healthcare Business Awards in July. The awards recognise outstanding business achievement in areas such as exporting, innovation and growth.

Giles Proffitt, product innovation & operations manager said: “To enhance the viability of the extensive base of great ideas and innovative businesses within the region it is essential that our companies receive the right investment support.  Its great to be working with a programme focused on strengthening access to new finance opportunities.”

Kevin Downes of consortium member BITECIC Ltd said: “There are several organisations in the region providing valuable support to developing health technology companies. We are keen to work more closely with these organisations to identify appropriate companies for the programme and to continue their preparation for investment.”

For more information or to register your interest in the Yorkshire Forward Access to Finance for Healthcare Technology Companies programme visit www.investinginhealth.co.uk

Diamond Deal for Viking 

 Previous Connect Yorkshire Investment Forum presenters, has been given a cash boost thanks to a deal led by the Viking Loan Fund. click here to read more

Right Funds For You Seminar

 A few places still remaining: Don't miss this interactive seminar which is fully subsidised for companies in Yorkshire and will be presented by four industry experts who will cover debt, venture capital, grants and business angel finance options.  Find out more or register today 

TechTalk 2009: Is Cloud Computing The Way Ahead?

What does cloud computing mean to today’s enterprises and what does this mean for you? Is cloud computing all hot   air or has it got a silver lining? Attend TechTalk 2009 and hear from the country’s top leading IT businessmen speaking on a single platform in a format designed to enable you to debate the issues YOU wish to raise. Click here to find out more 

Green Thinking Captures Humber'a Natrural Power

Previous Investment Forum presenters Pulse Tidal make waves in the Yorkshire Post this month. Home to Centrica, International power, BP and Total, energy is big business for the Humber.  Click here to read the full article

 The Latest from MyDealMaker

MyDealMaker, the premier site for bringing entrepreneurs and investors together, now has over 100 FSA registered investors and over 500 hundred  entrepreneurs registered as users. Over One Hundred company profiles have been uploaded. Join MyDealMaker and promote your funding requirement for free. Click here to find out more

Best of the Connect Blog

Laying Polished Pitches Perfectly  

In the run up to our June Investment Forum we provide 'pitch' mentoring to presenting companies to help them hone idea into something non-specialists in their field can understand. The ability to talk about a technical subject in layman's terms is rarely what these companies have to do day in day out, but when it comes to raising investment it's crucial. Click here to find out more 
 

For What It's Worth...

Power, Job Titles & Oxymorons

The current controversy surrounding the power residing with the Prime Minister versus parliament and the legislature has similar parallels in business. Tensions mount when shareholders and executives having misaligned interests.  Read more 

first Friday has built a widespread reputation for generating business opportunities, attracting high calibre guest speakers and focusing on the key issues faced by the business community. Matthew will talk about how his role at Minster Law is his most challenging yet, and he will expose some of the “legal speak” that makes it difficult for clients to understand legal services.

Passionate about creating competitive edge and leading from the front, Matthew has led four businesses to unrivalled success and is leading a transformation in the delivery of legal services. His address will challenge conventions and offer delegates insights into how the legal sector is fundamentally changing. Already a success story with a strong Wakefield element, Matthew’s visionary approach to managing change should be of interest to all businesses in the district and wider region.

Mohan de Silva, first’s Chief Executive said:
 
“We are delighted to welcome Matthew to first Friday. As a major investor into the Wakefield District and an important employer in a growing sector, he can provide valuable insights into the legal industry and its role in business, as well as the challenges facing the industry in today’s economic climate.”
 
The format of first Friday is simple. Beginning with an excellent lunch and superb opportunities to network, a brief economic update follows and what this means for local businesses. The guest speaker will then share their experiences and vision, helping to provoke debate and hopefully, inspire up to 120 delegates. The event provides an ideal forum for lively discussion and includes an open question and answer session.

To book your place at the June event please PHONE: Faye Yarrow on 01924 302080 or EMAIL: fyarrow@wakefield.gov.uk . There is a charge of £25 plus VAT (£28.75) to help contribute towards costs.
 

Tissuemed has already brought to market the TissuePatch product family of multilaminate absorbable surgical sealant films – a range of thin, synthetic, highly adherent films which act as a barrier to air, blood and other fluids encountered in surgery.  More adherent than surgical glues, the films are easy to apply, require no preparation and are effective within 30 seconds of contact. 

The technology demonstrated in the TissuePatch family of products has the ability to form the basis for new technologies or iterations of existing products and the Leeds based company is offering other companies the chance to  benefit - through a unique technology partnering initiative.

The scheme, under the banner of Tissuemed Adhesive Biomaterials Technology Group, takes the form of a bespoke polymer design, synthesis and manufacturing programme open to suitable third parties, such as companies whose own medical devices could be enhanced by the incorporation of adhesive characteristics, surfaces or components. 
Examples of the types of surgical devices that may benefit from being self-adhesive to internal organs and structures include meshes, sutures, films; in fact a huge array of implantable devices that may currently require physical means of anchoring.

The pioneering programme offers companies and surgeons the chance to work with Tissuemed’s team of dedicated scientists to develop bespoke polymer designs and add new functionalities to their own products.  It also offers support in a range of other areas including clinical and regulatory, physical and biochemical testing, intellectual property protection and sales and marketing expertise.

Nick Woods, CEO of Tissuemed, comments: “In the same way that surgical staples revolutionised many surgical procedures in the eighties and nineties, we believe surgically effective adhesive compounds have the capability to drive advances in surgery in the foreseeable future.

“Our own TissuePatch product range of very fine adhesive surgical sealant films is a showcase for what can be achieved, but I’m convinced this is only the beginning.  Our scientists have worked out how to optimise the bonding of materials to the proteins offered by tissue surfaces, which is a major technological advance in itself.  It’s now about exploring the applications for the technology, which is what this initiative is all about.”

“This unique partnering scheme offers a collaborative platform for us to work with specialists in all medical fields to develop a range of products that may become tomorrow’s standard treatments.  This is a way of leveraging our technological capability and working with innovative thinkers outside our own group to benefit all parties, not least the patient for whom quicker, more reliable and ultimately more effective treatment is of primary importance.”

To find out more about the Tissuemed Adhesive Biomaterials Technology Group visit www.tissuemedbio.com or email info@tissuemedbio.com
 

A Sheffield manufacturer has been given a cash boost thanks to a deal led by the Viking Loan Fund.

 Diamond Dispersions, which manufactures and sells high quality water-based pigmented dispersions for the ink-jet ink industry, has received a loan of £60,000 to grow and develop the business. The loan sits alongside £100,000 of private equity from eight business angels.

 The Viking Loan Fund is part of the £5 million Transition Loan Fund, which has been established in Yorkshire and Humber to help businesses who are struggling to access credit in the current financial climate.

 Diamond Dispersions is a continuation of Diamond Sheffield Ltd which had been operating since 2003 before undergoing a management buyout by the Executive Directors Peter Callahan and Sue Wright in 2007.

 A portion of the equity investment was used to buy out two previous shareholders, with the balance being used for purchasing further items of capital plant and building the Diamond brand in overseas markets.

 Peter Callahan, managing director of Diamond Dispersions said: "I am very excited about the prospects for this industry and with the Viking Fund behind us I am sure that Diamond will now be able to play a huge part in that growth."

 Nearly all of the angel investors are members of the Viking Club, led by one of its original members, Kit Bird. The investment was made into Diamond Digital Holdings Limited, the new parent of Diamond Dispersions Limited, which will form the basis for a group of specialised companies in the field of digital print technologies.

 Kit Bird said: "Diamond offers Viking Club members the rare opportunity to invest in a high-tech manufacturing business. The company has built up good relations with customers, distributors and key suppliers and I'm confident that this will provide the foundation for successful growth."

 Peter Pridham, investment manager for the Viking Loan Fund, said: "Diamond's market share is growing very quickly, and the company required additional working capital alongside the necessary equity investment. The bank was unable to sanction a loan of this size, and the company clearly met the criteria laid down for the Viking Loan Fund.

 “Although still relatively small – it employs six staff – it already exports its products to the USA, Korea, China, India and several European countries from its high quality manufacturing plant. We believe Diamond Dispersions has a very bright future."

 Alex McWhirter, assistant director of business at Yorkshire Forward adds: “We know that businesses are facing challenges to access the finance in the current lending climate, so this fund is vital to ensuring strong regional businesses can continue to grow despite the recession.

 “What is great about the Viking Loan Fund is that it secures co-investment from the private sector, which proves that despite the general gloom - economic activity in our region is still strong”

For details of the next Investment Forum click here

For more information on Diamond Dispersions visit www.diamonddispersions.com

For more information on the Viking Loan Fund visit www.vikingloanfund.co.uk
 

AMS provides a full range of innovative, advanced wound care dressings that includes alginates, foams, hydrocolloids, hydrogels and films and also new anti-microbial silver technology dressings (effective against MRSA and VRE).  These products are sold into hospital, nursing home and community care markets.  The main indications are for chronic wounds such as ulcers and pressure sores.  AMS can provide local companies a range of cost-effective private labelled advanced woundcare dressings packaged to individual customer specifications and regulatory requirements.

AMS will also be displaying and promoting their market leading, cyanoacrylate based, wound closure and sealant technologies including the new LiquiBand® Optima skin adhesive product.  LiquiBand® Optima is a pre-assembled skin adhesive device that can be used straight from the pack.   The unique winged actuator provides an easy ‘click-and-use’ functionality and precision control.  LiquiBand® Optima enables the emergency room clinician to perform quicker, safer and more precise wound closure that helps achieve excellent cosmetic results.  The Octyl-BlendTM cyanoacrylate technology, used within LiquiBand® Optima, allows the product to be stored at ambient temperature. The recent addition of LiquiBand® Optima ensures that AMS stays at the forefront of skin adhesive innovation.

Dr. Nick Frampton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing explains, “As a company we are eager to expand into the Latin American markets and we are looking forward to showcasing our innovative range of wound care and wound closure products at Hospitalar.  We have a unique and exciting range of products, which have the potential to transform wound closure procedures worldwide.  We look forward to meeting with prospective partners or distributors to replicate in Latin America, the same success that we have enjoyed in the USA and Europe.”

Hospitalar 2009, the largest healthcare event in Latin America, will take place at Expo Center Norte Exhibition Centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 2nd to 5th June.

During the exhibition AMS will be located in the Green Hall stand J07.  For further information visit www.admedsol.com