Public Funding for Glyconics Limited

The development of a Cloud-based real-time screening capability for the presence of the COVID-19 virus in nasopharyngeal swabs using Mid-InfraRed spectroscopy. A system designed around a high resolution fully portable device with internet connectivity.

Diabetes is a major global challenge for which the vast majority (\>90%) of cases have type-2 diabetes that is largely preventable/manageable through lifestyle interventions if caught early. Early detection is key to long-term management of the condition, enabling cost savings per patient and an increase in life-years. Existing portable diagnostic techniques (urine dipstick; fingerstick blood glucose) are inconvenient/invasive, inaccurate & use single-use plastics, and thus not recommended. Glyconics seeks to overcome this challenge using of a point-of-care diagnostics platform enabling rapid, low-cost, high-accuracy Patient screening, using clinically proven non-invasive infrared reflectance measurements of the Patient's fingernail. The technique is quick, accessible and has the potential to significantly reduce the number false-positive referrals, delivering patient cost savings (compared to the gold-standard questionnaires). The project will investigate the possibility of introducing the technology into ODA countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being researched in this project. DRC has the 5th highest incidence of diabetes in Africa (WHO 2015) and it is a recognised problem within the country. Market and clinical research, including patient measurements, clinical pathways, engagement with patient groups and health economics assessment. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Université Catholique de Bukavu and Diabetes Africa.

Development of a Miniaturised Infra-red (IR) Spectrometer for Improved Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Early Identification of Exacerbation.

Glyconics has developed a new device for rapid, cost-effective diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) using sputum samples. The technology analyses the presence of specific markers in sputum that are characteristic of COPD. In addition the technology is able to detect the onset of an exacerbation episode earlier than the current methods meaning that patients can be treated earlier than is currently possible. COPD is a disease with a growing clinical burden and one of the main challenges is the high rate of hospitalisation arising during disease exacerbation. The ability to spot exacerbation earlier means that COPD patients are less likely to need to be hospitalised. This project is intended to complete prospective clinical trials to confirm the clinical value of the technology. In addition it will allow Glyconics to set up its assembly pipeline so there will be no delay in providing the technology to the NHS assuming that the clinical data is satisfactory.