Zilico
Zilico Ltd is medical technology company that has developed a handheld diagnostic product named ‘Zedscan’ that uses electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to improve the success of cervical and oral cancer screening programmes.
The ZedScan device measures the electrical resistance of human tissue. As pre-cancerous and cancerous cells change the resistance of affected tissue, any alteration in resistance levels provides a real-time diagnosis that reduces the subjectivity of interpretation and therefore can potentially avoid the need for a biopsy. This means that cancers can be detected and diagnosed earlier, leading to more successful treatment, reduced stress and anxiety for patients, and potential cost savings for healthcare providers.
While the initial focus of the Company has been on the development and distribution of screening solutions for oral and cervical cancer detection, and the Company intends to expand the application of its diagnostic technology to the detection of oesophageal, anal, vaginal and vulval cancers.
Trials and service evaluations of ZedScan continue in several UK Hospital Trusts and several locations overseas, with the detailed usage data that the evaluations produce offering valuable feedback for improving sensor performance.
The business model is based on the ‘razor and razorblade’ model: a single device purchase complimented with a multiple-use sensor supply. The ZedScan device is used in conjunction with a single-use sensor.
| Product | Technology Growth |
|---|---|
| Sector | Medical Technology |
| Aim of funding | Growth |
| HMRC Advanced Assurance received | Yes |
| Envisaged investor exit | 4-5 Years |
| Targeted return | In excess of 4x capital invested |