60 new jobs expected at Inverness R&D centre
An Inverness medical technology company, which has been involved in efforts to tackle COVID-19, is set to create 60 new highly-skilled jobs.
ODx established the medical testing business on Inverness Campus in August 2019, with up to £1.75m investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The company, which already employs 30 people, is developing a device that helps detect the ability of urinary tract infections (UTIs) to resist antibiotics.
The technology, currently going through clinical studies, will help patients by getting faster diagnosis and treatment. It will also save NHS costs on hospital admissions, lab time and reducing antibiotic prescriptions.
ODx can provide answers for treatment options within an hour, instead of the current time of two to three days.
The new roles, based in Inverness will include assembly technicians, lab, office and clinical staff.
Charlotte Wright, chief executive of HIE, said:
“This is more excellent news for the region. It is the second significant inward investment and job creation project announced recently, following Capgemini’s major contract win confirmed last month.
“When ODx established its centre on Inverness Campus last year, it was in anticipation of up to 30 new jobs in three years. This latest announcement from the company will take the total figure to more than 90 in around a year.
“Inverness and the Highlands and Islands more widely, is increasingly recognised for its growing life sciences sector. ODx is at the heart of this. Their work fits well with the collaborative and innovative ethos of Inverness Campus, as demonstrated in the efforts to tackle COVID-19, and we are very pleased to see the company grow in the region.”
Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee said: “Scotland is recognised globally for its ground-breaking work in the life sciences sector and our existing investors play a huge role in this, so it’s wonderful to see one of them expanding in this hugely exciting sector.
“This announcement is also welcome news for the local economy. As we plan our strategic economic recovery from COVID-19, now is the time to re-imagine the Scotland around us and to begin building a greener, fairer and more equal society and economy focused on wellbeing.”
ODx is based in Solasta House on Inverness Campus, the £4.5m life sciences building developed by HIE with £1.5m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The company utilised its analytics equipment, processes and expert management in setting up clinical testing and diagnostics for COVID-19, in collaboration with other firms on the Campus.
CEO of ODx, Giles Hamilton said: “We are delighted to start our next phase of recruitment in Scotland. We’re committed to supporting the NHS and communities in the Highlands, Islands & Moray.
“Our local partnerships, support from HIE and the commitment to medical technology from the Scottish Government were big factors in ODx deciding to place these jobs in Inverness rather than overseas.
“We hope the creation of these positions will also help bolster the local economy as we all tackle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”