Fife medical equipment firm Optos yesterday revealed a potential £10 million tie-up with the academic sector to develop new sight-loss detection technologies.
The Dunfermline-based company will work with scientists and clinicians from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and with the universities of Strathclyde and Kent to bring forward innovative imaging systems capable of identifying sight-threatening eye disease at an earlier stage.
The project is being kicked off with an initial £1.1m study funded by Optos and Innovate UK, the newly rebranded UK Technology Strategy Board.
The research is aimed at developing an enhanced laser technology with the ability to monitor the function of the cells in the eye and flag up and track any signs of developing eye diseases.
It is hoped the new system will allow clinicians to move to treatment for a range of eye disease at an earlier stage, providing better long-term outcomes for patients.
Optos yesterday said the first clinical studies would focus on the leading causes of blindness age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and were expected to be completed in the first half of 2017.
Should the first-stage trials prove successful, Optos said a further £9m would be invested to develop a fully licensed medical device for the NHS by 2018.
“We are delighted to play a key role in this important collaboration with the NHS supported by clinical research,” Optos chief executive Roy Davis said.
“Blindness is a largely preventable disease burden that we believe can be eased through earlier detection. Optos strives to create the tools for professionals at the forefront of eye care and disease management.
“This initiative demonstrates not only the importance of early intervention, but how innovation and investment through collaboration can translate into better patient outcomes.”
Worldwide it is estimated that some seven million people lose their vision every year 80% of which may be preventable and that 285m people are visually impaired.
The rates are expected to double by 2020 unless prevention efforts intensify, as an ageing population contributes to more cases of cataracts, glaucoma and other disorders.
Dr Stuart Parks, who is leading on the project for the NHS consortium, said working with the private sector to develop new technologies was vital for better patient outcomes going forward.
He said: “It is critical that the NHS works closely with partners, both in the development of new technology and in the evaluation of its effectiveness; this research marks the start of a new collaborative framework to deliver solutions for the NHS.”
Dr Graeme Williams, consultant ophthalmologist, said: “I am really excited about this innovative research which could provide early detection of sight-threatening disease, allowing for more effective management of the conditions.”
Shares in Optos which is valued at around £141m and produces a range of ultra-wide-field retinal imagers, including the flagship Daytona device closed yesterday’s session up 5.25p or 2.66% at 202.25p.