Intelligent Fingerprinting, the British company developing the world’s first portable fingerprint-based drug screening device, is expanding its operations by setting up a new global headquarters at Evolution Business Park in Cambridge.
The company’s unique technology is based on pioneering British research and the new premises, which comprise custom-designed commercial, R&D and manufacturing facilities, will allow Intelligent Fingerprinting to develop its products fully in the UK. The move is part of the company’s ambitious growth plans as it gears up to launch its first product in the coming months. A number of new Cambridge-based employees have joined the company since the beginning of 2015 and there will be no job losses as a result of the relocation from Norfolk.
Dr Jerry Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Intelligent Fingerprinting said: “The company has maintained constant growth since it was first funded in 2009 and the new purpose-designed Cambridge HQ will allow us to continue our expansion, bringing our management team altogether in one place and providing easier access to customers and partners. Cambridge is an important global centre for scientific research and development and, as we approach the launch of our first product, our relocation is timely. Research, development and product manufacturing will all take place on-site, and we hope that our mobile drug screening device will be the first of many revolutionary fingerprint-based developments to come.”
Intelligent Fingerprinting’s portable fingerprint-based technology promises to greatly simplify the way in which drug screening is carried out. Sample collection takes five seconds and the analysis of fingerprint sweat to screen for multiple drugs of abuse takes fewer than 10 minutes. The device has potential for a variety of drug screening applications including drug rehabilitation services, offender management, criminal justice and occupational health. Dr Walker added: “As a spin out from the University of East Anglia (UEA) we are grateful for the strong support we have received from the Norwich business community and Norwich Research Park, where we have been situated since 2011.” Intelligent Fingerprinting’s 11,500 sq ft bespoke facility was developed in partnership with Cambridgeshire-based Brightfield Investments. The unit includes custom-designed controlled environment production facilities, warehousing, cold rooms, laboratories, offices and breakout areas.
