TekCapital Regulatory News (TEK)

Tekcapital plc

("Tekcapital" or the "Company")

New Technology License

Acquisition of exclusive license to a patent-pending improvement for non-invasive glucose testing technology

New technology may replace the need for invasive blood testing for diabetics

Tekcapital plc (AIM: TEK), an international provider of technology and intellectual property services, announces it has acquired the exclusive license to a patent application for the measurement of glucose in saliva from Arizona State University, which adds to the Company's portfolio of patents for the non-invasive measurement of glucose.

The exclusively licensed US patent application 62/288,747 entitled "Saliva glucose measurement devices and methods" describes a safe, fast and non-invasive method and device to collect and sample glucose in saliva for both human and companion animals. The biosensor device allows trace saliva fluid samples from a biological surface to be obtained for electrochemical analysis and the subsequent detection of analytes using disposable biosensor strips. The Directors of Tekcapital believe this breakthrough technology, if commercially successful, could replace the need for invasive blood tests repeatedly taken by diabetics.

Market potential

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 350 million people worldwide have diabetes, with over half of these cases in China and India. Recent research suggests the global market for Diabetes Diagnostics is forecast to reach $14.2 billion by 20191 with the principal growth drivers including increasing levels of diabetes incidence and the ageing of the population.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time may lead to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. Companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, also have presented an increasing growth of diabetes cases.

The current standard for self-glucose monitoring technologies, used throughout the world to measure blood glucose in diabetics, is to draw a blood sample and place the blood on a strip for insertion into a glucometer. There is a general dislike of the pain and inconvenience caused by this method, leading to fewer tests being performed, which may result in inadequate blood glucose control and complications from the disease. Furthermore, the testing itself can also cause blood-borne infection. Dog and cat owners routinely face challenges in gathering blood samples from their dogs and cats, running the risk of infection around paws, ears, legs, together with other areas, often deciding to pay for regular and expensive visits to veterinary clinics.

Dr. Clifford M. Gross, Executive Chairman of Tekcapital, commented: "This is a step forward in non-invasive, glucose measurement. If commercialised successfully, this new technology could encourage patients and pet owners to measure blood sugar levels more frequently and without discomfort." 

1 Mordor Intelligence, Diabetes Diagnostics - Global Glucose Monitoring Devices Market - Industry Analysis and Market Forecast 2014-2020, Published November 2015.

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Tekcapital plc - The World's Largest University Network for Open Innovation

Tekcapital helps clients profit from new, university-developed intellectual properties. With our proprietary discovery search engine, linked to 4,000+ universities in 160 countries, coupled with expert scientific review, we provide a turn-key service to make it easy for clients to find and acquire the IP they need to create a competitive advantage. Tekcapital plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in Oxford, in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com