Newcastle-based medical-device company OJ Bio (www.oj-bio.com) has raised new financial backing as it continues to work towards the commercialisation of a breakthrough diagnostic technology. The company has secured funding from Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC) (www.jrc.co.jp/eng) that will enable it to considerably expand its technical production and business development capabilities.

OJ Bio has successfully completed the prototype development of new bio-chip technology that accurately and quickly identifies the presence of various infectious diseases in patient samples, with the results being displayed via a smartphone app or PC-based software.

The specialist devices combine the electronics expertise of JRC with advanced protein technology developed by Orla Protein Technologies — originally a spin-out business from Newcastle University — in a collaboration that led to the joint venture creation of OJ Bio.

Three new jobs have recently been created within OJ-Bio as it scales up production. OJ Bio and Orla are also looking to co-locate into new premises in the next 12-18 months to allow for continued growth.