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Case Examples
 | Automated Road Cone Laying & Collection System
“SafeTcone” is a product that replaces the need for construction and maintenance staff to place traffic cones by hand – a dangerous operation that that nevertheless takes place daily on our roads and highways. A new company has been formed to exploit the technology and initial orders from a major international construction firm have already been received. WestFocus support enabled the development of a pre-production prototype for validation at the Transport Research Laboratory and is also being used to fund the progression of the business case for further investment.
|  |  | | Safe Food and Drink Company
The product concerned will be of great benefit in disaster relief situations and to developing countries. It is essentially a new, cellulose film bag for the self-rehydration of oral products regardless of the state of biological contamination of the local water supply. WestFocus support enabled an independent market analysis to be carried out (proof-of-market and assessment), as well as the selection of best materials for prototypes.
| | | | Treatment for Crohn’s Disease
Chronic inflammation of the intestine in many animal species including primates is caused by MAP (mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis) and it is postulated that the same organism causes Crohn’s disease in man. It is estimated that there are between 1-2 million sufferers worldwide. A patented DNA vaccine has been developed which has shown effectiveness in preclinical studies. If the vaccine continues to show efficacy in human trials it will offer a new treatment for MAP-infected Crohn’s patients. WestFocus is supporting the involvement of a Project Manager to concentrate on developing the commercial elements of the overall project without diverting resources from the core activity.
| |  | | Dendritic Cell Vaccines for Cancer Treatment
The idea, based on the present preclinical and clinical research activities of the group, is to establish and run a company to conduct R&D in this area and become a major provider of DC vaccine treatment within the UK on a commercial basis - providing service both to the NHS and private sector. The first stage would be a DC cancer vaccine R&D laboratory and clinical treatment centre at St George’s, then a growing network of DC cancer vaccine treatment centres across the UK. WestFocus support is enabling the development of a business plan including regulatory as well as financial modelling.
| | | | Ability Products
Women with severe continence difficulties have a very limited range of management options, either catheters or bulky pads. The Non-Invasive Continence Management System (NICMS) has been designed to provide a practical, non-invasive, alternative to conventional solutions. WestFocus support has been provided to move the project through various stages of funding and development, and interest from both the commercial and investment communities is very positive.
| |  | | CLF Printed Packaging Sensors
The technology is concerned with printing sensors and incorporating them on to labels. This enables the condition of goods that are packaged and then transported to be monitored. CLF has the advantage that offset lithography is currently the printing process of choice in much of the packaging industry and therefore the capital costs associated with the introduction of a new technology are not incurred. WestFocus support as enabled further technical development as well as the creation of a business plan and commercialisation strategy.
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