Dr Conor Hanley, co-founder and CEO of Nova-UCD based BiancaMed
Invest NI is supporting the development of innovative new technology that could revolutionise the connected healthcare industry. The technology is being developed by NovaUCD-based firm BiancaMed at its new R&D centre in Belfast.
Invest NI has offered
£250,000 towards the set up of the research and development centre at
the Queen’s University, Institute of Electronics, Communications and
Information Technology (ECIT).
BiancaMed’s core product
is a unique wireless sensor that can detect breathing and heart rate up
to a distance of two metres. The first application for the technology
is a baby monitor, but the technology will be developed further for use
in other applications with life-saving potential, such as home health
and exercise monitors. The technology will be launched at the 2007
Connected Health Symposium, a major US international life sciences
event, organised by Partners Healthcare, Boston, from 22-23 October.
BiancaMed was founded in 2003 by Professor Conor Heneghan, Dr Philip de Chazal and Dr Conor Hanley as a spin-out from University College Dublin’s School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering. BiancaMed is headquartered at NovaUCD the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at UCD.
Speaking on behalf of BiancaMed, CEO, Dr Conor Hanley said: “BiancaMed decided to locate its R&D centre in Belfast because of the cluster of world class companies in telecommunications and health technology there, and the availability of high calibre researchers and engineers. The opportunity to work closely with world-renowned research teams in ECIT to develop the technology, and the support from Invest NI were also important factors in attracting the company to Belfast.”
