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Vivacta

Using its patented technology, Kent–based Vivacta is developing a medical device to enable GPs and nurses to test blood samples without leaving their surgery.

Later on it intends to introduce systems targeted at acute care in Hospital ER units.

‘Lab results without the lab’, is how Vivacta, the diagnostic medical devices company based at Kent Science Park, near Sittingbourne, describes itself. The company is confident about the future and global potential for its technology. It’s estimated that in the US alone 20 million people suffer from hypo-thyroidism, a debilitating illness, and some 70% go undiagnosed, yet there is a cure available. The Vivacta system will screen for the disease, and many others. Its rapid test time will be ideal for adjustment of drug dose and later routine checks to ensure patients remain well controlled.

Having grown from five employees at the start of last year, Vivacta now has a 17 strong team and expects to attract another eight people by the autumn.  Importantly for the local economy all of the Vivacta team live with 30 minutes of Kent Science Park.

Neil Butler added: “Recruiting people has never been a problem for us as there’s a strong science-based community in Kent.  We have also attracted international experts to our board, people who have held senior positions at some of the world’s largest companies, including Bayer and Roche. We’ve got a great team.”

When it came to choosing the home for its groundbreaking enterprise, Vivacta’s management visited Oxford and Cambridge. However, after a visit to Kent Science Park, it was clear where they should set up business.

Neil Butler added: “We chose the Park for a number of reasons, including the security on site, the infrastructure on site, including social amenities such as the swimming pool, cafe and Woodstock Club. The cost of business premises was not a prime consideration however they are very competitive to other major regional science parks.

“Importantly the management here listened to what we needed and refurbished laboratory space to our exact requirements. We currently have 6,000ft2 of laboratories and offices and have agreed to take a further 6,000ft2 in order to double in size in the very near future.”

For more information visit www.vivacta.com