A University of Glasgow spin-out company "Diagnostic Potentials Ltd" will receive an innovative award tomorrow, Friday 19 November, from the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) for its pioneering work to improve the diagnosis of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The company was set up by Dr Kerry Kilborn and colleagues at the Department of Psychology at the University of Glasgow in 1999. The team have successfully developed medical technology that helps with the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. It is being honoured by the SCDI, the leading economic development organisation, at its Gala Awards ceremony in Glasgow with the Pfizer Award for Innovation in Life Sciences.

Dr Kerry Kilborn, senior lecturer in Psychology at the University and Chief Executive of Diagnostics Potentials Ltd said:

"We are pleased that SCDI and Pfizer have recognised the company's work on the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, which will reach the clinical market in a few months time. More importantly, we welcome the contribution this recognition makes toward raising awareness of the need to pursue research and development on all fronts to combat this devastating disease."

The prize will be presented by the Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Darling at a ceremony to be held at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel at 7pm.

SCDI Chief Executive Alan Wilson said:

"Scotland's economic prosperity depends on getting many more ideas and inventions out of our leading university labs and into production. Diagnostic Potentials Ltd, a spin-out company from the University of Glasgow, is a trailblazer in this respect and has enhanced Scotland's reputation in life sciences.

"SCDI's award recognises the firm's development of a device to help with the early diagnosis of Alzheimers disease which affects 18 million people worldwide and this year claimed our own Rikki Fulton. It has the potential to be a big breakthrough as early intervention improves care and maximises the effectiveness of drug therapies."

Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and others, represent more than 15% of the global cost for disease. For example, costs of over $100 billion per annum makes Alzheimer's the third most expensive disease in the USA.

Advances in drug treatments are creating opportunities to reduce the suffering and cost associated with CNS disorders. The key to exploiting these opportunities, both for clinical care providers and for drug companies, is early and accurate diagnosis.

The unmet need in this market is an 'industry standard' diagnostic tool. Diagnostic Potentials has developed a platform technology which meets the needs of both clinical and pharmaceutical customers for early and accurate assessment of CNS disorders.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For more details contact Mike Findlay the University Press Officer on 0141 330-3535. Pictures from the Pfizer Award from Innovation in Life Science are available from Lewis Segal on 07831 586 644.

Diagnostic Potentials is a spin-out company from the Department of Psychology, University of Glasgow. The company commenced operations in July 1999 and began its development program in October that year. After achieving outstanding success with the research and development phase in the early part of 2000, the system was tested on a suitable number of subjects in the second half of that year reaching proof of concept in December. Further details can be found at the: Diagnostic Potentials website.

SCDI is an independent membership network which strengthens Scotland?s competitiveness by influencing Government policies to encourage sustainable economic prosperity. See: SCDI website, for further details.

First published: 18 November 2004