The SFDA, (the Chinese equivalent of the EMEA and FDA), formulates policies and programmes for the administration of drugs, medical devices, health food and cosmetics. Microbiologists at the SFDA will be using the ProtoCOL 3 systems to help increase productivity of vaccine and antibiotic testing at their regional laboratories across China.
The order for 25 units of Synbiosis’ ProtoCOL 3 systems came via Hua Yue Enterprise Holdings Ltd, one of SDI’s expert Chinese distributors. This sale is the largest order for these colony counters in 2013 and closely follows another large installation of 27 ProtoCOL 3 systems in Asia in 2012. SDI has successfully sold into the Asian market for a number of years and the software for many of SDI’s systems has been written in Chinese for over a decade, making it easier for Chinese life scientists to access and successfully use the technology.
Commenting on the news SDI’s Chairman, Ken Ford, stated: “Selling the ProtoCOL 3 systems to the Chinese equivalent of the FDA is a coup. Our technology was in a rigorous tender process against systems from 10 other US, European and Chinese companies so to come out on top is a boost not just for our Synbiosis Division but also for other life science firms in Cambridge’s innovation hub.”
Mike Creedon SDI’s Chief Executive Officer, continued: “This purchase by such a prestigious government organisation is a great start to the year for SDI. With this being the second large order for ProtoCOL 3 systems in Asia in less than a year, it also shows that our strategy of moving into the untapped Asian market with our life science equipment portfolio is proving very fruitful.”
Scientific Digital Imaging plc
SDI plc is focused on the application of digital imaging technology to the needs of the scientific community. The principal subsidiary is Synoptics, which designs and manufactures special-purpose instruments for use in the life sciences. Synbiosis is a division of the Synoptics Group.
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