Development Project

RNS Number : 4649O

Ilika plc

30 June 2010

 



30 June 2010

Ilika plc

("Ilika" or the "Company")

Development Project

Ilika and ITRI launch tissue regeneration research programme using bio-functional polymers

Ilika plc (AIM:IKA), the advanced cleantech materials discovery company, is delighted to announce a new development project being undertaken by its biomedical subsidiary, Altrika Limited ("Altrika") for the Industrial Technology Research Institute ("ITRI") in Taiwan. The programme will make use of Altrika's high throughput materials discovery capability for bio-functional polymers to support a key tissue regeneration research project run by ITRI's Biomedical Engineering Research Lab (BEL). 

Altrika improves human health through the discovery of novel materials which can enable the next generation of medical devices. It supplies and develops new products using materials which actively contribute to the prevention of disease and recovery from illness. Altrika has already commercialised two products, CryoSkin and MySkin, which are used for the treatment of burns.

ITRI is well known for its world-leading technical innovation.  It pioneered commercial success in the semi-conductor industry in Taiwan, having developed the technology behind both UMC and TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor fabrication company.

"This programme with ITRI is another vote of confidence from a world-leading organisation in Altrika and our materials discovery capabilities," said Graeme Purdy, CEO of Ilika. "ITRI's track record in commercializing novel technologies makes them an ideal partner for us and we are very excited by the potential of this novel form of treatment."

"Altrika provides the answer to one of our key technical challenges in this development," said Dr. Chungcheng Liu, General Director of ITRI BEL. "Their ability to screen such large libraries of materials so quickly will provide us with a highly functional and cost effective treatment. We are very pleased to be have secured them as our partner." 

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For more information contact:

Ilika plc Graeme Purdy, Chief Executive Steve Boydell, Finance Director	[phone]
Nomura Code Securities Limited Phil Walker / Christopher Golden	[phone]
Pelham Bell Pottinger Archie Berens / Olly Scott / Francesca Tuckett	[phone]

About Ilika

Ilika (AIM: IKA) is an advanced materials company which accelerates the discovery of new and patentable materials using its unique high throughput technologies (''HTT'') process for identified end uses in the energy, electronics and biomedical sectors. This process enables hundreds of scalable materials to be made in a single, automated operation and subsequently tested for key properties.

Traditionally, materials development has been a slow and arduous task, with manual, sequential methods used to make samples of material that are then tested for suitability. On average, it takes between 7 and 10 years to move from an initial discovery through to the first commercial prototype. Experiments carried out by the Company can be executed 10 to 100 times faster than using traditional techniques.

The Company focuses on three principal sectors and has a number of active development programmes addressing markets within each sector:

Energy - developing innovative new materials for Lithium-ion batteries for vehicles for Toyota; developing high capacity hydrogen storage materials with Shell Hydrogen and Johnson Matthey through joint development programmes; developing cheaper alternatives to Platinum electrodes for use in fuel cells through a grant-funded project with the Carbon Trust; developing new materials for use in fuel cells for the transport sector for a major vehicle manufacturer; and carrying out in-house research on film photovoltaic solar cells.

Electronics - developing lead-free piezoelectric materials through a joint development programme with CeramTec; and developing phase change memory materials for high capacity memory.

Biomedical - developing polymers to enable the filtering of somatic stem cells from blood with a major global supplier of filters; it has been selling its Cryoskin and Myskin products for the treatment of burns and wounds in the UK through a specialist distributor and intends to commence clinical trials of its corneal bandage candidate.

The Group's commercialisation strategy is to enter into joint development or licensing agreements with large multinational companies which are seeking to commercialise products developed using the intellectual property created through jointly-funded programmes. Current commercialisation partners include large multinational companies such as Toyota, Shell, Johnson Matthey and CeramTec.  The Company generates revenues from three sources: licensing and milestone payments from joint development programmes; fee for service from contract research projects; and from sales of Cryoskin and Myskin.

www.ilika.com

About ITRI

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a not-for-profit R&D organization engaging in applied research and technical services. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's economy from a labor-intensive industry to a high-tech industry. Numerous well-known high-tech companies in Taiwan, such as leaders in the semiconductor industry TSMC and UMC, can trace their origins to ITRI.

Innovative Research

ITRI is a multidisciplinary research center, with six core laboratories, five focus centers, five linkage centers, several leading labs and various business development units. The six fields ITRI focuses on include Information and Communication; Electronics and Optoelectronics; Material, Chemical and Nanotechnologies; Biomedical Technologies; Advanced Manufacturing and Systems; and Energy and Environment. ITRI has aggressively researched and developed countless next-generation technologies, including WIMAX wireless broadband, solar cells, RFID, light electric vehicles, flexible displays, 3-D ICs and telecare technologies. In addition, ITRI's Flexible Electronics Pilot Lab and Nanotechnology Lab provide international-level research platforms where R&D can be conducted jointly with partners. ITRI has also seen significant growth in intellectual property business and new ventures in recent years and is devoted to creating a model that would make Taiwan manufacturing even more competitive in the international arena.

Fostering Entrepreneurship and CEO Leadership

ITRI employs 5,800personnel, including 1,112 who hold Ph.D.s and 3,206 with master's degrees, resulting in an average of five patents produced every day. By disseminating both technology and talent, ITRI has led the technology industry into the 21st century and has cultivated 70 CEOs in the local high-tech industry. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the California Silicon Valley, Tokyo, Berlin and Moscow.

 

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