A Sedgefield-based X-ray technology firm has revealed plans to take its numbers to 30 over the next few years as it commercialises its cutting-edge products.
IBEX Innovation Ltd, based at NETPark, is set to revolutionise the way X-ray detectors are used in sectors from medical, electronics and defence to food.
Its technology could radically improve safety for patients during CT scans, by reducing the radiation dose received by a factor of five.
The breakthrough comes as government advisory body Comare claims one adult in 2,000, or one child in 1,000, who has an abdominal CT scan will develop a new cancer as a result.
Comare - the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, originally set up to investigate radiation emissions from the Sellafield nuclear plant - says radiation doses used in CT hospital scanners should be cut to the lowest possible level, to avoid potential harm.
IBEX, which was founded by Dr Gary Gibson, has been given the first licence deal for its technology - and succeeded in attracting funding from several highly-competitive Technology Strategy Board (TSB) rounds amounting to £200,000.
It also recently secured £1.2m investment from the North East Technology Fund, managed by IP Group, to commercialise its products and is already knocking on the door of ‘multi-billion dollar’ electronics companies.
Dr Gibson said: “Big companies are recognising this, they’re all investing heavily in reducing X-ray dose but they still want to get a clear image. It’s very exciting.
“Of all these things, we’re furthest ahead in electronics inspection. The electronics technology should be on the market in the next year.”
IBEX chief executive Dr Neil Loxley added: “Most people are familiar with X-rays in hospitals; ten years ago, a bit of film would be used but now it’s done with digital cameras and it all goes into a computer.
“We are focused on the development of that piece of technology - the camera that can see X-rays.
“We want to get more information out of the image than with existing X-ray cameras, for example we might get better clarity in tumours or breaks.
“We can use it in industrial processes, and it’s all based on patented technology developed over the last couple of years.
“It’s gone quite quickly from concept to first product and market.”
The North-east was a natural place to start the company, Dr Loxley added; he studied a PhD at Durham University, while Dr Gibson has lived in the area for more than a decade.
“The plan is very much to continue to grow in the region and be a North-east business,” added Dr Loxley.
“We would like to get to 30 employees in the next three to four years and be a high-technology business, employing talented people.”
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