During the past six months, SDI’s Synoptics Group has introduced the new division of Synoptics Health which has developed a patented system which addresses the major problem of detecting dirty surgical instruments in hospitals. The need to improve the washing processes used in hospitals world-wide is currently a hot topic since dirty instruments can result in costly hospital closures and more importantly, can lead to cross contamination of patients. The Synoptics Health ProReveal system has been launched to wide acclaim since it is a highly sensitive and unique fluorescence-based test going far beyond the capabilities of current techniques.
The ProReveal technology has been developed in conjunction with Queen Mary University of London over the past four years and has been shown in trials at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London Hospital to detect nanogram levels of protein contamination on surgical instruments, which is around 100 times more sensitive than tests currently used. Using the ProReveal technology will ensure that surgical instruments are being properly checked for contamination from proteins such as prions that cause vCJD and could help reduce the number of cases of post-operative infection.
ProReveal was introduced at four major trade shows in October and November 2012 to appeal to hospital sterile services departments. The ProReveal technology was well received at the shows and orders have been placed for 10 systems in the UK since launch. In addition to the UK market, strong interest has already been received from Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Italy and Korea. The growth in expected sales of the ProReveal product will ensure that SDI finishes 2012 with strong growth in turnover.
Additionally, two of SDI’s other divisions, Synbiosis and Syngene have also had a good year with sales of Syngene’s PXi system for imaging multi-coloured fluorescence and chemiluminescence DNA and proteins exceeding forecast in Europe and strong sales in Europe and Asia of Synbiosis’ ProtoCOL 3 system for automatically counting bacterial colonies also showing impressive growth.
Commenting on the news SDI’s Chairman, Ken Ford, said: “Substantial progress has been made this year in developing assets and capabilities which have increased turnover in existing markets, as well as generating a new revenue stream. This has had a great impact on SDI’s team and reinforces the fact that well-engineered, high-tech systems from Cambridge, one of the UK’s main innovation hubs, continue to be highly sought after.”
Mike Creedon SDI’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “Our performance this year indicates SDI’s strategy of maximising returns by repurposing our well-established technologies in existing and untapped market sectors can deliver both short and long-term value and ensures the outlook for SDI moving forward into 2013 is very positive.”