Company to set up R&D centre in Inverness

The move by ODx will create more than 30 highly-skilled jobs within three years.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved investment of up to £1.75m for the project.

The facility will be used to develop and commercialise a test that helps detect the ability of urinary tract infections (UTIs) to resist antibiotics.

The test will aid patients by getting faster diagnosis and treatment, and will save NHS costs on hospital admissions, lab time and reducing antibiotic prescriptions.

Antibiotic resistance is caused by excessive or inappropriate use of antibiotics. Testing for UTIs is typically carried out in hospital laboratories and it can take two to three days to get results back to GPs and patients.

ODx is developing it as a rapid, cost effective point of care (POC) testing solution for use by GPs as well as hospital emergency departments and specialist clinics around the world.

The company has signed a ten-year lease agreement for space in Solasta House, the new £4.5m life sciences building developed by HIE on Inverness Campus with £1.5m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

It is creating more than 30 highly skilled jobs, including engineers, microbiologists, data scientists and lab technicians.

James Cameron, HIE’s head of life sciences, said:

“Inverness and the Highlands and Islands more widely, is increasingly recognised for its growing life sciences sector. ODx is at the heart of this and we are very pleased to welcome the company to the region. This exciting new facility fits well with the collaborative and innovative ethos of Inverness Campus. We look forward to working with the company on implementing its plans and to the benefits this will bring, notably the creation of highly-skilled jobs.”

Investment Minister Ivan McKee said:

“I welcome ODx decision to establish a medical technology research and development centre in Inverness. The development of this highly specialised facility further builds upon Scotland’s global reputation as a world leading innovator in health technology. 

“Highlands and Islands Enterprise are investing up to £1.75 million in this centre, investment which will help create a further 30 highly skilled jobs within three years.

“The Scottish Government and our agencies will continue to support this incredibly important sector, which employs almost 40,000 people across Scotland.”

Giles Hamilton, ODx CEO, said:

“HIE and Inverness Campus beat stiff competition from other locations in the UK and overseas as a location for ODx. We are delighted with the support received from them and Scottish Enterprise. We are looking forward to working with communities in Inverness, Moray and the Highlands and Islands to create jobs and help reduce the suffering caused by UTIs.”