David Pritlove

Incentec Ltd. develops diagnostic test for predicting pre-eclampsia. It is a spin-out company from the University of Warwick which was incorporated in April 2004. Originally based at the university's Department of Biological Sciences, Incentecs offices are now based at the University of Warwick Science Park with its scientific research and development being performed at the Clinical Sciences Building at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. The company started off as a result of an idea from a senior lecturer based at the University of Warwick's Medical School. Dr Manu Vatish, also a practicing gynecologist and obstetrician, identified that, although there was a generally recognized need for a diagnostic kit for pre-eclampsia by clinicians, no major diagnostic companies were forthcoming in developing one. So with the assistance of Warwick Ventures, the technology transfer department of the university, Dr Vatish commercialized his own research on pre-eclampsia, with a view to ultimately producing a kit to diagnose pre-eclampsia, and formed Incetec Ltd. Incentec initially benefitted from liaising with Warwick Ventures as they helped raise early stage funding through the DTI, Mercia Spinner and the Mercia Fund. This early stage finance allowed for both initial proof of concept work to be undertaken and all resulting intellectual property to be patent protected. The company is now ready to embark on the proof of principle phase of development and is in the process of raising further finance to fund this. The company has also continued to mature and grow, since its incorporation, and now employs high caliber researchers and an experienced management team. The company was founded by Manu Vatish in April, 2004 and is headquartered in Coventry, UK.