04-03-2021
#21toWatch is a successful campaign and awards that celebrates the outstanding talent within the disruptive science and tech industries from Cambridgeshire and across East Anglia. The 21 winners represent the region’s globally recognised excellence in biotechnology and life sciences but also includes other incredibly innovative People, Companies and ‘Things’ in industries as diverse as artificial intelligence-enabled solutions, agri-tech, and water and energy sustainability. The seven people, seven companies, and seven ‘things’ were unveiled at an interactive virtual awards event this morning (Thursday 4th March) which included guest speaker, Arm Co-Founder Jamie Urquhart sharing his insights to becoming a successful entrepreneur. The #21toWatch Top21.2021 creative individuals are:
Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Co-founder and COO, VividQ: Poised to be a thought leader in computer-generated holography, Aleksandra is Co-Founder and COO at VividQ. She is focused on taking VividQ’s software to the market with pioneering technology companies, which includes an exciting collaboration with Arm. Dr Catherine Elton, Co-Founder and CEO, Qkine: Catherine co-founded Qkine in 2016 to re-define growth factor and cytokine quality to advance stem cell, organoid and regenerative medicine - areas she believes underpin future advances in human health and wellbeing. Francesca O’Hanlon, Founder and CEO, Blue Tap: Francesca founded Blue Tap after she gained first-hand experience in water and sanitation working as an engineer in Mexico, India, South Sudan and The Central African Republic. Francesca is CEO at Blue Tap, a social enterprise using 3D printing to give more people in urban environments access to clean water. Dr Giorgia Longobardi, Founder and CEO, Cambridge GaN Devices: After almost a decade of leading-edge research and development at the University of Cambridge, Giorgia and her team launched Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD). An inspiring CEO, Giorgia has a strong engineering background including a PhD in power devices and has just completed a $9.5m funding round. Dr Gita Khalili Moghaddam, Founder, GlycoVue: Gita is an UKRI Innovation Scholar at the University of Cambridge leading the use of AI in medical technologies and therapeutics. In her entrepreneurial role, Gita established GlycoVue for diabetes self-management, and Gita’s own personal journey is an inspiration to everyone who meets her. Prof Justin O’Grady, Group Leader, Quadram Institute: Justin is Group Leader at Quadram Institute, working on pathogens and rapid diagnostics. He is a key member of the Norwich team working on sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 virus as part of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). Dr Tom Stubbs, CEO and Founder, Chronomics: Tom is CEO and founder of UK-based biotechnology company, Chronomics, founded on the use of epigenetics to give people the knowledge of how their environment and lifestyle are imprinting on their DNA and affecting their health. He is a specialist in epigenetics, machine learning, and computational biology. The #21toWatch Top21.2021 inspiring companies on the way to being industry leaders locally, nationally and globally:
Cambridge Cancer Genomics: Cambridge Cancer Genomics software enables data-driven, precision oncology. Its AI platform analyses and interprets tumour DNA, enabling oncologists to provide more effective, personalised treatment for cancer patients. Echion Technologies: Echion's promise to reduce the charging time for electric cars to six minutes moved closer with the announcement that it has demonstrated a six-minute charge Li-ion battery cell with 200 per cent improvement in anode volumetric capacity over commercial competitors. Flusso: This fabless semiconductor company, originally spun-out from the University of Cambridge, has developed the world’s smallest flow sensor as part of a flow sensing solution easy to incorporate in low-cost, high-volume applications. Last year, the company raised $5.7M series A funding to scale up and bring its vision to reality. Iceni Diagnostics: Iceni Diagnostics develops carbohydrate-based point-of-care diagnostics and vaccines for infectious diseases, using its unique, proprietary HPGR ™ technology. Norwich-based Iceni has a strong pipeline of products currently lead by a Covid-19 diagnostic. Kalium Health: Kalium Health is working to help millions of people living with kidney disease to manage their health at home. The company’s digital blood electrolyte monitoring platform is based on sensing technology developed at the University of Cambridge, one of Kalium’s strong clinical and commercial partner eco-system. Leaf Expression Systems: Using its proprietary technology, Hypertrans®, Leaf Expression Systems is an innovative contract development and manufacturing organisation specialising in plant-based production of proteins, vaccines and complex natural products for research and commercial applications. SATAVIA: Cambridge aerospace startup SATAVIA's vision is to eliminate 2% of human climate impact by making aviation smarter and greener. Previously winners in 2019, SATAVIA’s agile startup culture and connections with leading aviation players enables the company to quickly scale and adapt to new opportunities and partnerships. The #21toWatch Top21.2021 ground-breaking Things/Innovations are:
Better Origin: Better Origin’s X1 is the world’s first autonomous, cost-effective insect mini-farm that converts waste biomass, such as excess feedstock or food waste into insect biomass, rich in proteins and fats. Tried and tested on chicken farms, it can be used to produce feed for any animal and is set to expand further with a recent $3m funding round. Developing Experts: Designed to connect the world of work to learning, Developing Experts offers a science curriculum for schools and a careers and recruitment platform for the whole family. The company empowers employers to recruit responsibly by supporting its users to make informed choices about their future careers to build the diverse workforce industry needs. Glyconics®: An innovative diagnostics company, Glyconics® is developing a range of miniaturized InfraRed (IR) products for point of care, exploiting the ability of IR to produce distinctive molecular ‘fingerprints’ in samples. The company’s first application is screening for Type 2 diabetes, a major global challenge. Map of Ag: Map of Ag’s vision is to be the most trusted global data platform connecting farms and industry. The company’s platform can control how and where data is used, allowing Map of Ag and third parties to develop innovative solutions that drive efficiency, transparency and Net Zero. Robok: A VC-backed Cambridge University spin-out, RoboK has developed efficient AI-based 3D sensing software solution for resource-constrained platforms to deliver safety for the automotive and transport industries. Sook: Offering flexible space, Sook has developed a rent-by-the-hour business model which allows retailers to pay only for the time they are in the shop. With spaces already in Cambridge and London, the group plan to open in Oxford, Newcastle, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Poland, South Africa and multiple additional London and UK locations this summer. Spotta Smart Pest Systems: Spotta Smart Pest Systems aims to be the world leader in smart pest detection with its Spotta bed pod™. An automatic, continuous pest monitoring device, Spotta bed pod is ultra-low-power and helps hotels detect bed bugs early. Entrepreneur and cofinitive Founder, Faye Holland (right) – who created the #21toWatch Awards - said: “Securing the Top21.2021 was a tough ask for the judges as this year’s shortlist was jam-packed with inspirational people and businesses from our region. Our aim for #21toWatch, this year more than ever, was to recognise those people and companies who are creating an impact – but also to facilitate connections and a network to support them. “Congratulations to the Top21.2021, the Longlist and the Shortlist, we look forward to celebrating your continued progress in the future.”
cofinitive’s #21toWatch campaign was launched in 2017 to showcase and highlight the lesser known but outstanding talent within our region’s science and tech industries; those that really deserve recognition, funding and support because what they are doing is truly ground-breaking. For details of the full #21toWatch programme and lists, please go to www.cofinitive.com/21toWatch
 
Businesses all share the need to communicate effectively – and that’s where Cofinitive comes in. We are a corporate communications consultancy specialising in branding, strategy, marketing communications &amp; engagement. Cofinitive is not industry specific so clients come in all shapes and sizes, and vary greatly in the type of work they do. Cofinitive Ltd

The #21toWatch Top21.2021 revealed

Cambridge spin-out Kalium Health secures £950k investment
Kalium Health , which aims to transform the lives of patients with kidney disease, today announces the completion of a seed investment round. Cambridge Enterprise led the over-subscribed round with participation from Kidney Research UK , Cambridge Angels and Martlet Capital , the investment arm of Marshall of Cambridge Group. Kalium Health envisions a world in which everyone is empowered to manage their health and well-being by having access to real time, personal health information. Kalium Health spun out of the University of Cambridge, where its work began with grant funding from several sources, including an academic research grant from the charity Kidney Research UK. The company is now working to transform the lives of millions of people worldwide with kidney or heart disease, and to reduce total healthcare costs, by enabling blood electrolyte monitoring by anyone, anytime, anywhere. The first product Kalium Health is developing is a rapid, accurate test for blood potassium concentration based on a tiny drop of finger-prick blood. The test will enable patients to seek treatment before complications arise and without the inconvenience, cost and delays associated with current testing methods. Kidney disease is increasingly recognised as a global health challenge. This is due to its association with diabetes and hypertension, which are on the rise, and to the disproportionately large cost of treatment. Professor Fiona Karet , co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Kalium Health, explains the motivation behind the company: “Patients in my clinic who suffer ill health due to electrolyte imbalances were asking me why it was not possible for them to manage their condition better themselves. I realised that a clinically accurate self-test for blood potassium concentration would be a game-changer for them and for over-burdened healthcare providers”. Tom Collings, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, added: “Against a backdrop of an urgent clinical need and an under-served market, we have ideally positioned ourselves to commercialise our sensing technology. The ongoing shift in clinical practice towards digital healthcare and precision medicine presents a huge opportunity for us to develop our personalised electrolyte monitoring technology for kidney disease. We now welcome a fantastic group of investors who share our vision and passion and we are excited to enter a new phase of growth of the company”. The investment will allow the company to accelerate its technology and product development plans. Kalium Health aims to launch its first test as an approved medical device within four years. The team has recently signed an agreement for larger laboratory and office space in Cambridge and has begun recruiting engineers and technicians, planning to double head count from four to eight during the first half of 2020.

Cambridge spin-out Kalium Health secures £950k investment

13-03-2020
Kalium Health, which aims to transform the lives of patients with kidney disease, announces the completion of a seed investment round. Cambridge Enterprise led the over-subscribed round with participation from Kidney Research UK, Cambridge Angels and Martlet Capital, the investment arm of Marshall of Cambridge Group. Kalium Health envisions a world in which everyone is empowered to manage their health and well-being by having access to real time, personal health information. Kalium Health spun out of the University of Cambridge, where its work began with grant funding from several sources, including an academic research grant from the charity Kidney Research UK. The company is now working to transform the lives of millions of people worldwide with kidney or heart disease, and to reduce total healthcare costs, by enabling blood electrolyte monitoring by anyone, anytime, anywhere. The first product Kalium Health is developing is a rapid, accurate test for blood potassium concentration based on a tiny drop of finger-prick blood. The test will enable patients to seek treatment before complications arise and without the inconvenience, cost and delays associated with current testing methods. Kidney disease is increasingly recognised as a global health challenge. This is due to its association with diabetes and hypertension, which are on the rise, and to the disproportionately large cost of treatment. Professor Fiona Karet , co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Kalium Health, explains the motivation behind the company: “Patients in my clinic who suffer ill health due to electrolyte imbalances were asking me why it was not possible for them to manage their condition better themselves. I realised that a clinically accurate self-test for blood potassium concentration would be a game-changer for them and for over-burdened healthcare providers”. Tom Collings, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, added: “Against a backdrop of an urgent clinical need and an under-served market, we have ideally positioned ourselves to commercialise our sensing technology. The ongoing shift in clinical practice towards digital healthcare and precision medicine presents a huge opportunity for us to develop our personalised electrolyte monitoring technology for kidney disease. We now welcome a fantastic group of investors who share our vision and passion and we are excited to enter a new phase of growth of the company”. The investment will allow the company to accelerate its technology and product development plans. Kalium Health aims to launch its first test as an approved medical device within four years. The team has recently signed an agreement for larger laboratory and office space in Cambridge and has begun recruiting engineers and technicians, planning to double head count from four to eight during the first half of 2020. Cambridge Enterprise exists to help University of Cambridge inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs make their ideas and concepts more commercially successful for the benefit of society, the UK economy, the inventors and the University. Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge

Cambridge Network
31/10/2018
A startup currently on the Accelerate Cambridge programme at the Cambridge Judge Business School Entrepreneurship Centre is developing a system to help kidney patients monitor their blood potassium levels on the go. Kalium Diagnostics was established in Summer 2018 by four co-founders following a request from patients in a clinic who struggle to manage unstable potassium levels. Co-founder Dr Tanya Hutter says the startup is now in the process of working on the business plan and aiming to raise seed-funding. Our kidneys keep salts and minerals in balance in the body. Abnormally high or low levels of potassium are particularly dangerous and can be fatal, so patients with kidney disorders need to have their levels regularly checked at the hospital or GP surgery. So Kalium, a University of Cambridge spin-out company, is now developing a simple finger-prick test for patients to monitor blood potassium levels instantly in their own home. The company was recently named Cambridge’s Best Healthcare Start-Up in the AstraZeneca Start-Up Science competition. “Patients were asking me why they couldn’t monitor their own blood potassium levels in the same way that people with diabetes monitor their blood sugars, and the idea for a home test was raised via Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s Patient-Led Research Hub,” says Professor Fiona Karet, from the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Honorary Consultant in Renal Medicine at the hospital. When Karet met Hutter, an expert at building miniature sensors, the idea began to become a reality. “The technology is based on an electrical signal,” says Hutter, from the Department of Chemistry. “This allows the sensors to be low cost and disposable, as well as miniature enough to measure potassium in a tiny drop of blood.”
Proof of concept was developed by the researchers with funding from Kidney Research UK, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Addenbrooke’s Kidney Patients’ Association, and commercialisation was helped by Cambridge i-Teams and Cambridge Judge Business School. Dr Liz Norgett, a research associate, has been doing most of the lab work. Kalium Diagnostics was also one of the winners of Accelerate@Babraham. With business mentoring plus lab space at AstraZeneca and Babraham Research Park, the team is now working towards sensor manufacturing and clinical trials. “Patients know their own disease needs and it’s exciting to think that we’ve been able to respond in this way,” says Karet. “It can also be used by other patient groups and healthcare professionals. If patients can better manage their health away from hospital, it will improve their lifestyle and reduce the costs of healthcare.”
Gaynor Fryers, a coach at the Accelerate Cambridge programme who is working with Kalium Diagnostics, said: “We all know how important it is for diabetic patients to accurately measure their insulin at all times. Without injecting insulin at the correct times, patients run the risk of coma and death. What we don’t know so much about is that many kidney patients run the same risks but are not able to easily monitor their potassium levels, having to make journeys to GP clinics and hospitals. Kalium is making excellent progress and it is a pleasure working with this skilled team.”
A version of this feature was originally  published in Research Horizons magazine of the University of Cambridge. This article is part of Venturing Forth, a series on the aspirations and challenges of ventures connected to students, alumni and others associated with Cambridge Judge Business School. Find out more

Venturing forth: Kalium Diagnostics

Cambridge Consultants

University of Cambridge

Cambridge Graphene

Base4 Innovation

Companies developing medical devices (per the IMDRF's definition of "medical device"). Includes software, lab-developed tests (LDTs), and combination products. *Columns updated as regularly as possible.

Medical Devices

Companies developing or offering products that aid in the assessment, screening, diagnosis, or monitoring of a person's state of health/wellness. Excludes companies focused solely on fitness/sports performance

Health Monitoring & Diagnostics

Health IT 

Technologies, platforms, and systems that engage consumers for lifestyle, wellness, or health-related purposes; capture, store, or transmit health data; and/or support life science and clinical operations. (DiME, DTA, HealthXL, & NODE.Health)

Name	Work History	Title	Status
Tom Collings	Cambridge Consultants	Founder, Chief Executive Officer	Current
Tanya Hutter	University of Cambridge, Cambridge Graphene, and Base4 Innovation	Founder, Chief Technology Officer	Current

Name	Tom Collings	Tanya Hutter
Work History	Cambridge Consultants	University of Cambridge, Cambridge Graphene, and Base4 Innovation
Title	Founder, Chief Executive Officer	Founder, Chief Technology Officer
Status	Current	Current

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