2 minute read
Celtic connections turn brilliant ideas into practical reality
Medical product design engineering company GX is living proof that collaboration within the Welsh life science and health technology community, facilitated by MediWales, works. GX worked in collaboration with the University of South Wales and Llusern Scientific with support from the Welsh Government.
GX works with a wide range of clients, from medical and healthcare professionals to scientists and companies, developing new cutting edge medical products.
“Our design team has helped to develop some truly groundbreaking products, from an online water toxicity monitor to our most recent collaboration – an assay processor and reader. Several projects like these started as conversations during events hosted by MediWales. Then, to bring the product to life, we frequently rely on our local supply chain, and many of these organisations are fellow members.”
Mark Helmich Managing director GX A multidisciplinary approach
One of GX’s key strengths is their ability to retain control of the entire project, since they have a range of skills within their multidisciplinary team. When developing a product, as Mark recounts, the team draw on their vast experience from one sector to help solve a problem in another.
“We have both the agility and the ability to switch direction occasionally when developing products, because we are a small team,” notes Mark. “Being adaptable was crucial to the successful development of the recent assay reader, since it started as an idea to develop a reader for urinary tract infections. As the pandemic gripped the world, the scientists behind the programme switched their focus, sorted funding, and enlisted GX to help them develop a rapid assay reader.”
Benefits of a local network
To ensure quick completion of the projects they are designing, GX frequently taps into their local supply network – many of whom are also members of MediWales. Mark commented: “The assay reader we helped to design and develop is just one example of how local collaboration can turn brilliant ideas into commercial reality. We are so fortunate to have a ready-made network through MediWales who we can call upon to support the work that we do as a medical product design company.”
To assess the feasibility of their design for the assay reader, the first and second versions were modelled by Drumlord. Test kits used were sourced from Biomonde’s Bridgend manufacturing facility. At a time in the midst of the lockdown when raw materials were scarce, GX managed to obtain the key electric components from Axiom. In order to pass the many medical and product tests necessary, several products were manufactured locally by JC Mouldings, an expert in custom injection mouldings.
“Without doubt being a member of MediWales is invaluable to us,” concludes Mark. “It is a great forum to meet, share and help each other to develop and advance medical and life science products.”
