Lab on a chip – how microdiagnostics

are revolutionising healthcare

Dale Athey

CEO, Orla Protein Technologies Ltd

NETPark Incubator 1st June 2009

There are several major global drivers
for in vitro and molecular diagnostics

An aging population Increase in

Chronic Disease

Availability of high Growth in

value diagnostics decentralised
healthcare
How can we successfully capture some
of the commercial opportunity ?
Whilst attractive the market is highly
competitive
We can learn from the experience of
others
I would like to share my experience with
Orla Protein Technologies

1. 2. 3.
Orla background Diagnostics Commercialisation
issues
 1.
Orla background
 Orla is a spin out from Newcastle University

1. Orla background
Opportunity

“the highest growth rates will

be in the convergence
between bio- and nano-
technologies in the
healthcare and
pharmaceutical sectors”
Source Cientifica Ltd: Nanotechnology
Opportunity Report™, 3rd Edition. June
2008

1. Orla background
 Orla design, and manufacture proteins for
surface applications

5nm

purified protein surface

gene bacteria

1. Orla background
 The platform has wide application

1. Orla background
 Convergence of electronics and biotechnology

1. Orla background
 2.
Diagnostics
 Partnership with Japan Radio Company

2. Diagnostics
Manufacturing capability

4 Million
pieces per month

2. Diagnostics
 Communications expertise

26GHz FWA ＧＰＳ 計測器

ＰＨＳ
　　　　 26GHz 帯 P-MP 　 GPS 　 IP （ポジシー SSL 対応
　　　ワイヤレス IP アクセ W-CDMA
ク）
携帯型 ブラウザ搭載 PHS
スシステム ＧＰＳ
モバイルロケー
2.4GHz 54/11Mbps タ車載型
GPS モジュール ２Ｇ通信モジュール フェージングシミュレータ

屋外型無線 LAN カーエレクトロニク

ブリッジシリーズ
ス VICS ユニット

ETC 車載器 ETC チェッカー

SAW フィルタ

PHS モデム
業務用無線機
デジタル　　　 非破壊探査装置
　業務用無線機

2. Diagnostics
 Joint venture on a ‘next generation’
diagnostics platform

SAW

2. Diagnostics
 Prototypes already available

2. Diagnostics
 Other benefits of technology

2. Diagnostics
Technology Strategy Board Funding

New rapid testing device will target respiratory disease

24 October 2008

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne UK. Newcastle-based nano-

biotechnology firm Orla Protein Technologies Ltd,
has secured a government investment of nearly
£700,000 to help its wireless electronic technology
for the rapid detection of respiratory viruses such
as Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) and Influenza
(Flu).

The £1.1M development project “VIRASENS”, is

part-funded by a collaborative R&D grant from the
Technology Strategy Board

2. Diagnostics
 3.
Commercialisation
issues
 ‘Micro’ diagnostics and miniaturisation
have a role

3. Commercialisation issues
 It’s a long journey from the University
bench to commercial success

3. Commercialisation issues
 Degree of Commercial Opportunity

Science Technology Business

Commercial risk

Commercial interest
Universities

3. Commercialisation issues
 Technology is only a small part of
commercialisation

Technology Risk – does it work ?

Data Risk – does it work in application area ?

Product Risk – can you manufacture ?

Commercialisation Risk – reimbursement, regulatory

3. Commercialisation issues
 How will you finance the development ?

“To bring a new biomarker-based

diagnostic test to market takes
an estimated 3 years and $45-
50M to complete outcome
studies. From first investment to
revenues this estimate rises to
$70-100M”
VC panel comment at CHI Molecular medicine
Triconference in San Fransisco, 2009

3. Commercialisation issues
We can successfully capture some of
the commercial opportunity ?

Yes……..but

……need to think about

business model – not just
technology
Thank you for your attention

dale.athey@orlaproteins.com

www.orlaproteins.com