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Press Release
Doha, 15 June 2009: Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and deltaDOT, London, launched a joint venture operation deltaDOT QSTP-LLC (DD QSTP-LLC), to be sited at QSTP, Doha. The company will develop a world class proteomics research and testing facility whose services will initially be offered to key stakeholders in Qatar and later globally. QSTP will contribute $15mn towards the partnership while deltaDOT is to provide staff, expert support and an exclusive regional licence to its technology.
Proteomics is the study and use of proteins in healthcare for disease diagnostics, control and cure, and is considered to be one of the most dynamic areas in biomedicine. The Proteomics Service Laboratory is expected to open officially later this year and will provide training and work opportunities for young Qatari scientists.
Contract research and development programs will be offered by the laboratory to work with existing and future stakeholders in Qatar, developing new services, technology improvements and analytical tools of use in oncology, biomarker and general healthcare research. Initial projects already agreed to begin work in the facility include biomarker studies for breast and colorectal cancer and the metallic content of proteins.
"Through this venture we hope to combine the expertise and know-how of deltaDOT with the commercial and entrepreneurial environment of QSTP to create innovative technologies and supply proteomic services in Qatar," QSTP chairman, Dr Tidu Maini said.
By utilising deltaDOT's proprietary Label Free Intrinsic Imaging (LFIIT) technology, the deltaDOT QSTP-LLC will develop the next generation of proteomic tools for researchers across the globe.
Dr John Hassard, Chief Executive Officer of DD QSTP LLC and founder of deltaDOT Ltd said that the project will help Qatar to leapfrog old approaches in healthcare. "This will help Qatar take advantage of the remarkable advances in scientific techniques and technologies to bear on age-old diseases such as cancer and diabetes," he explained.
"Our strong team, and particularly, our world-class Science Advisory Board, lead their respective fields in informatics, translational medicine and proteomics technologies and will allow us to compete and be highly influential on the world scientific stage from the outset," he added.
QSTP managing director Dr Eulian Roberts expressed the hope that the new venture will result in ground breaking findings in the field of Proteomics which will then find applications locally and internationally. "The establishment of deltaDOT QSTP-LLC also falls in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 which is for Qatar to be an active centre in the fields of scientific research and intellectual activity," he stated.
Paul James, Chief Executive Officer deltaDOT Ltd said: "deltaDOT QSTP-LLC will be a world class facility attracting the highest quality of scientists and engineers, of which we expect more and more to be Qatari nationals. For deltaDOT Limited, this joint venture allows further development of our technology and applications with an enthusiastic and committed partner and hence increase and further improve our offering to global life science research programs "
James added, "deltaDOT QSTP-LLC can play an important role in the development of technology infrastructures of the Arabian Gulf, particularly in Qatar. The country is in the midst of a transition from a carbon-based to knowledge-based with emphasis on the high technology approaches inherent to the deltaDOT offering. By providing the most advanced biotechnology tools, deltaDOT can increase the profitability of existing companies and efficiency and productivity of existing healthcare institutions while providing a core facility to attract new ventures to the region."