A new three-year r&d programme based in Stirling, Scotland, and focusing on the development of new near-patient and home use diagnostic tests has been announced.

Initially, the programme will focus on developing near-patient tests based on novel biomarkers (indicators) for cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of ill-health in Scotland, and where Scotland has acknowledged clinical expertise.

The programme resulted from ITI Life Sciences' Market and Technology Analysis of the healthcare market, which identified opportunities for commercialisation with the aim of stimulating the growth of Scotland's life sciences sector.

To deliver the programme, US company Inverness Medical Innovations (IMI) has been attracted to Stirling. IMI is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of rapid diagnostic tests for both the home use and professional markets.

As part of the programme, IMI has set up Stirling Medical Innovations, a new Scottish research, development and manufacturing company to be based in Stirling. The company hopes to create 500 new jobs, including over 100 high-value scientific/research jobs, with the remainder in product manufacturing.

Over the next three years IMI plans to invest £37.5m in the r&d programme and following completion, a further £30m in manufacturing and the commercialisation of new products. The programme is being backed with £30m from ITI Life Sciences and £3.8m from the Scottish Executive in Regional Selective Assistance. Other financial support is coming from the Scottish Enterprise network.

IMI has a strong track record in the successful development and commercialisation of new products for home and clinical use. In particular, the management team has considerable experience in rapid diagnostics having previously developed a leadership position in the fields of blood glucose monitoring, infectious disease testing and women's health.

ITI Life Sciences, in conjunction with other companies, will then leverage the technology underpinning this platform in other areas, such as bio-defence, veterinary care, environmental monitoring and food testing.

Near-patient tests are being used increasingly by clinicians and patients for the diagnosis and management of chronic conditions, and offer benefits to both healthcare providers and patients. Testing at home allows patients to monitor their disease and manage their condition more effectively. The global market for near-patient testing is estimated to be currently worth US$3.3bn and is growing at around approximately 8% per annum.

Ron Zwanziger, ceo of Inverness Medical Innovations, parent company of Stirling Medical Innovations said:

'We are delighted to be setting up this exciting new venture. We are very pleased to be returning to Scotland after the success of our previous Scottish company. The innovative products planned to be developed by Stirling Medical Innovations will substantially change patient management and lifestyle. Patients can increasingly have the choice of monitoring their health at home, significantly reducing the need for them to visit hospital. Home-based testing in cardiology offers exciting new opportunities to patients and Stirling Medical Innovations will lead the world in developing this category.'

Commenting on the announcement, Dr John Chiplin, ceo of ITI Life Sciences said: 'This is an exciting new programme development. With IMI, we are working with one of the world's leading diagnostics developers with a robust IP position, considerable financial backing and a strong commercial focus to its research. We have high expectations for the impact Stirling Medical Innovations will have in terms of improving the practice of disease management for patients and clinicians, while creating a centre of excellence in Scotland that will act as a catalyst for building on Scotland's existing track record in developing diagnostics.'

Welcoming the announcement, enterprise minister Jim Wallace said: 'This is highly significant for Scotland and is a major endorsement of what we can offer companies from around the world. The creation of a new life sciences research, development and manufacturing facility in the heart of Scotland is evidence that we are right at the forefront of developments within this cutting-edge sector.'