Sphere Medical

Sphere Medical, based in Cambridge, UK, is a company completing the development of a range of monitoring and diagnostic products designed to provide significant improvements in patient management in a number of hospital specialities. Sphere Medical's products are expected to allow near real time measurement of blood gases, various electrolytes, glucose and drug levels with laboratory accuracy, at the patient's bedside. This information can be used in a wide range of medical applications and is intended to enable faster clinical decision making and consequently to improve the management of patients. 

Sphere Medical’s two most advanced products based on its proprietary microanalyser technology are a disposable patient-attached arterial blood analyser for use in the intensive care unit or operating room (‘Proxima’) and an in-line blood monitor for patients undergoing cardiac bypass surgery. In addition, Sphere Medical has a propofol measurement device (‘Pelorus 1000’). In each case, these products will ultimately target patients requiring close monitoring and frequent levels of blood testing.

Products:

Proxima system for the ICU and OR

Patient dedicated arterial and venous blood analyser On-demand measurement of glucose, blood gases and electrolytes Closed system for blood conservation and infection control 

Pelorus 1000 propofol measurement system

Outstanding new system for sedation and anaesthesia studies Measures propofol concentration in 5 minutes Whole blood samples, no sample preparation required

Cardiopulmonary bypass monitor

Continuous monitoring of key blood parameters during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery Accurate microchip based measurement technology Easy set up and operation

Technology:

Sphere Medical works with leading medical device companies to co-develop products based on Sphere’s unique silicon microanalyser technology. The size, manufacturability and ability to sterilise silicon makes the device uniquely suitable for patient-dedicated disposable analysers at affordable prices.

Sphere Medical operates an ISO13485 certified quality management system for the design and development of medical monitoring systems. 

The company has the capabilities to develop and manufacture components, subassemblies or complete systems for the following:

• Systems for intermittent analysis of blood and other fluids.
• Systems for continuous monitoring of blood and other fluids.
• Sensors for catheters or other measurement probes.

Dr Anthony Martin, Non-Executive Chairman

Dr Martin, who has been chairman since 2005, has a long history of creating substantial value in the life sciences arena. Dr Martin is also Chairman of  Immunodiagnostics Systems Holdings plc,  Wound Solutions Ltd, Phico Therapeutics Ltd and 1and Voice1Vision Ltd and is a non-executive director of Abcam plc.   Previously he has been Chairman of NeuTec Pharma plc (and was instrumental in its sale to Novartis), President and CEO of Molecular Probes Inc., President of Molecular Biology for Invitrogen Corporation and President and CEO of Invitrogen B.V., a director of Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company) and a director of Prelude Trust.  Between 1995 and 2000 he was Chairman and CEO of AZUR Environmental Inc.  Before that, he was Chief Executive of Celsis International plc, Chairman of Tepnel Life Sciences plc and Managing Director of British Biotechnology Products Ltd. 

Dr Stuart Hendry, CEO, Director

Dr Hendry has over 20 years' experience in the medical device industry and has been CEO of Sphere since its founding in 2002. Prior to Sphere he held positions at the Generics Group plc, PowderJect plc, Diametrics Inc and Pfizer Hospital Products. He has been instrumental in the commercialisation of numerous medical devices mainly in the area of clinical monitoring and diagnostics.  He is on the board of One Nucleus Ltd (a not for profit science and healthcare network), a member of the CBI SME Council, a member of the Healthtech and Medicines KTN Steering Board and is on the Industry Advisory Board of BNC Ltd.  He holds a doctorate in biosensor technology and is author of numerous patents, scientific and medical publications in the area of clinical diagnostics and monitoring.   

Matthew Hall, Chief Financial Officer 

Mr Hall, who joined the Board in November 2011, is a chartered accountant with a degree in economics and has a broad expertise in all aspects of financial and corporate management.  He was most recently the CFO of IS Pharma plc, a specialist pharmaceutical group quoted on AIM; he was initially appointed as its financial advisor and became CFO from January 2009.  In May 2011 IS Pharma plc merged with Sinclair Pharma plc to form Sinclair IS Pharma plc.  Prior to that, he has gained over 20 years of corporate finance experience and has held positions at Noble Group, Close Brothers Group plc, Hill Samuel Group PLC, Merrill Lynch Co, Inc, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and was seconded to the Executive of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers.   

John Gregory, Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director  

Mr Gregory, who joined the Board in November 2011, is a chartered accountant who for the last 17 years has concentrated on non-executive roles with young, fast-growing companies.  Mr Gregory is currently non-executive chairman of Foresight VCT plc, which specialises in investing in technology based businesses and is also a non-executive director of a number of private companies.  From June 2000, Mr Gregory was a non-executive director and subsequently chairman of IS Pharma plc, a speciality pharmacetucials company which merged with Sinclair Pharma plc in May 2011; Mr Gregory was non-executive chairman of the merged group until he relinquished this role following the successful integration of the companies in September 2011.  Mr Gregory's earlier career was in the city and included appointments as a director of Singer & Friedlander Holdings and managing director of Henry Ansbacher & Co.  Mr Gregory was named 'AIM non-executive Director of the Year' in March 2011 in the annual Peel Hunt and Sunday Times sponsored non-executive director awards.  

 Stephen H Mahle, Non-Executive Director 

Mr Mahle, who was appointed in November 2011, is the former Executive Vice President of Medtronic Inc, one of the world's largest medical device companies, and retired in September 2009 after 37 years.  Mr Mahle joined Medtronic in 1972 and held numerous senior leadership positions with the company.  For 17 years Mr Mahle led Medtronic's largest division as President of the Pacing Business and subsequently as President of Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management.  Prior to joining Medtronic, Mr Mahle was a Captain in the US Army where he served as a Research Scientist at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston.  Mr Mahle holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics from Beloit College and a Master's degree in Physics from Pennsylvania State University.  

Sphere is aware of the following persons who directly or indirectly hold 3% or more of the issued share capital of the Company following Second Admission: