QMB Innovation Centre signs up iGene

21 June 2011

Queen Mary BioEnterprises (QMB) Innovation Centre, London’s newest high-specification incubator facilities for start-up and early stage life science businesses, has signed up iGene London, a digital autopsy developer.

iGene, formed in March 2011, is a subsidiary of iGene Sdn Bhd under the umbrella of the INFOVALLEY group of companies. At QMB it will investigate all aspects of the non-invasive autopsy also known as the Digital Autopsy. The group at iGene is currently in discussion with the medical and technical staff of the Bradford Public and Forensic Mortuary in West Yorkshire.

The purpose of the study will be to assess the value of a non-invasive approach to the examination of the human body when compared with the traditional autopsy. Forensic Pathologists will conduct Digital Autopsies on a virtual model of the body, generated using high performance computing (eg MRI and CT scans) and a unique set of proprietary algorithms.

The further development and validation the the digital autopsy as an important tool in forensic pathology investigation, will thus go a long way in addressing sensitivities associated with traditional autopsies and also enhance the findings of the traditional autopsy in homicide cases. Furthermore, the data, which is easily archived, can be accessed by courts of law, remote hospitals or forensic medical centres.

The training of medical, scientific and technical staff in the various aspects of the Digital Autopsy will be undertaken by the Academy of Forensic Medical Sciences both in London and other venues in the UK and abroad. Th Academy is a not-for-profit company which has been established to further the forensic educational needs of postgraduate students and forensic professionals.

Simone Reid, Business Development Director of QMB commented: “I am delighted that iGene has decided to move a key part of its operations into the QMB Innovation Centre. iGene is at a critical stage in its development and it is indicative of the offering of life science hub at QMB that the Company has chosen us as the springboard for its expansions and commercialisation aspirations. iGene is an ideal fit for QMB, as it is a new venture originating from East London, with international roots. iGene will also help to strengthen QMB’s position as the UK’s newest and premier bio-hub.”

Professor Peter Vanezis OBE, the Head of the Scientific Advisory Board of iGene, said: “The team has spent several years working in academic surroundings and we are extremely excited to move into the Innovation Centre. It marks a real milestone in terms of commercial development of the Company and QMB, being so close to the City and with such excellent facilities seemed the ideal choice for us. We have state of the art laboratories for our research as well as space for growth and support in developing the business – vital for early stage companies.

“I look forward to moving in and getting to know the other companies in the Innovation Centre – I’m confident it will be an important hub of biotechnology in London and we are excited to be a part of it.”

iGene is expected to move into the Innovation Centre at the end of July 2011.

 

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