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Ulster University spin-out Intelesens has grown in international stature after being acquired by US technology firm UltraLinq.
Belfast-based Intelesens was founded in 2001 by three sensor technology professors at Ulster University and since then, it has been developing wearable, non-invasive, wireless, vital-signs monitoring devices for hospital and home patient monitoring.
One of the company’s co-founders, John Anderson, is credited with inventing the first portable defibrillator, a major medical breakthrough.
Now, Intelesens is taking its next step with the announcement that is has been acquired by US tech firm UltraLinq.
Formed in the same year, UltraLinq is an international provider of cloud-based ultrasound and image software.
Over the course of its 16 years, Intelesens has attracted international venture capital, including start-up investment from Innovation Ulster Limited.
Ulster University vice-chancellor Prof Paddy Nixon said: “As one of the world’s leading sensor technology firms, the pioneering research carried out by Intelesens has impacted on the lives of countless people globally, improving patient care and driving efficiencies in the healthcare sector.
“The ability of Intelesens to develop such engineering and healthcare advances, and then rapidly commercialise them, is testament to its world-leading research and outstanding business leadership.”
He continued: “This acquisition by UltraLinq, a company already well established in the global medical technology sector, is an endorsement not just of Intelesens but of the wider knowledge base at Ulster University.”
Last June, Intelesens was included in Siliconrepublic.com’s list of 15 medtech devices for its work on attempting to develop a ‘tricorder’ device that would quickly scan a patient and diagnose any illnesses.
