Manchester University spins out Spectromics

Spun out after three years of research at Manchester University, Spectromics will focus on  technology that will allow doctors to determine the most effective drug to be prescribed for each patient, thereby bringing a personalised medicine approach to the widespread use of antibiotics. 

Spectromics tackles a growing problem in the use of antibiotics, as bacteria are mutating to be resistant against this class of drugs. The UK Chief Medical Officer, in 2013, called this a “catastrophic threat” to human health, which, if left unsolved, will put us back into a world in which organ transplants, chemotherapy, joint replacements and even minor surgeries become life-threatening. The 2012 G8 conference ranked the threat as serious to national security as terrorism.

The company aims to improve this situation by putting a stop to prescriptions without knowing whether the patient actually has a bacterial infection, and whether that particular infection may be resistant to the drug being prescribed.

Spectromics is set to develop the commercial system for the first application over the next three years. It will first focus on urinary tract infection, the most prevalent bacterial infection. Following this, it will explore other clinical applications.

Neil Butler, CEO of Spectromics noted: “What really excites me about Spectromics is the compelling need for a diagnostic that guides antibiotic treatment at the point-of-prescription. This technology is very differentiated as nothing else comes close to our test turnaround time. We are planning to raise significant investment, so that we can build the organisation rapidly, which in turn will bring the commercial system to market as soon as possible. This product was needed yesterday and we are going to make this technology the answer to the global call for a solution to antimicrobial stewardship.”