An Inverness couple have started a new biotech company designing medical devices for implant.

XtruTex Ltd is the brainchild of husband and wife team Mark and Nannette-Roxanne Sutherland, who have secured innovation, business start-up and capital expenditure funding totalling almost £37,000 from Inverness and Nairn Enterprise.

Operating from the Greenhouse in Inverness, where extra effort is made to attract innovative new businesses, particularly in the healthcare or technology sectors, the couple are also planning to provide a consultancy service to businesses involved in the production and testing of biomedical samples, such as sutures or hernia patches. 

"Biotechnology is a rapidly growing field in the Highlands' producing innovative and exciting new technology", explained Nanette-Roxanne Sutherland. "The advice and support from INE, on both innovation and business start-up, has been very valuable to us and the facilities at the Greenhouse are ideal.  With several different aspects to the company our aim is to provide a one-stop shop for the biotech industry, working mainly with the sector's small and medium sized enterprises. The intellectual property and patents for our designs will also be available for sale."

Wendy Martin, who manages the Greenhouse facilities on behalf of INE, added:  "XtruTex Ltd is an excellent example of the type of innovative business we are keen to encourage.  The advice and funding from INE, along with the facilities we can offer at the Greenhouse, provide a sound platform for the launch and initial growth of XtruTex, enabling them to pursue their research and development."

Future plans for the company, due to be available within the next few months, include the production of medical grade fibres along with specialised treatments which modify and enhance biomaterial properties.