could also be applied to wound management
through the skin“, in the hope that it could be used by the company’s
growing wound care business.
The med tech giant has invested £1.25m in Michelson Diagnostics, a small
Kent-based business which uses laser beams to produce high resolution images
of cells beneath the surface of the skin.
Michelson’s Vivosight system is already being used in place of biopsies to diagnose
non-melanoma skin cancer, a less aggressive but more common variety
of the disease compared with more deadly melanoma skin cancers. But the
company hopes to expand the technology, known as optical coherence
tomography (OCT), to other uses.
Smith & Nephew’s interest in Michelson is centred on the potential of
using OCT to assess the severity of burns, an application which could
bolster the company’s growing wound care offering.
The FTSE 100 company is best known for its joint replacement business, but
over the last few years it has been focussed
on diversifying into other areas of med tech, including high-tech
dressings for serious wounds.
In return for its investment, Smith & Nephew will get a seat on the
Michelson board, which will be occupied by strategic initiatives executive
Andrew Boyes.
Mr Boyes, who will work with Michelson to investigate new applications for
OCT, such as assessing the severity of burns, said he was „very
optimistic“ about the clinical and commercial prospects of Vivosight.
Andy Hill, chief executive of Michelson, told the Telegraph that Smith &
Nephew were also „suitably excited“ about his company’s early
research into whether OCT could be used to visualise blood vessels below the
surface of the skin. Blood supply is a crucial part of wound healing, and
Smith & Nephew already produces a high-tech gauze that applies suction
to the surface of a wound in order to encourage blood vessel growth.
Smith & Nephew will also lend its expertise to help Michelson pursue its
overall growth ambitions.
Michelson plans to use the money to expand its presence in Germany, where
around 40 hospitals and clinics are already using the Vivosight system, and
to launch a newer, lighter version of the device.
The funds will also be used to complete a major clinical study in the US aimed
at demonstrating the value of using Vivosight, which costs around £90,000
per unit, as an alternative to biopsy for diagnosing non-melanoma skin
cancer. It hopes this trial will pave the way for widespread adoption in the
US.
