Mentis Cura is a research and development company that focuses on developing diagnostic tools to assist clinicians and researchers in the diagnosing; understanding and monitoring of central nerve system (CNS) related diseases and conditions. Clinically Mentis Cura currently applies electroence-phalography (EEG) as the main supporting technology to achieve this goal. Other core technologies may be applied in the future, such as various imaging techniques, neuro-psychological tests, blood related tests, etc. Currently Mentis Cura is actively engaged in development of tools related to: • Dementia in the elderly; Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Levy-Body Dementia, Parkinsonism with dementia, frontal lobe dementia, alcohol induced dementia, etc. • Attention disorder / hyper activity disorder in children. • Depression in the elderly. • Mentis Cura plans to engage in the following: • Depression in general. • Attention disorder / hyper activity disorder in adults. Mentis Cura is actively engaged in forming partnerships with leading relevant distributors of technology in the diagnostic market for full development of products and marketing and distribution of those products.

The need for completely wireless multi channel EMG (Electro MyoGramm) systems was the main reason for the foundation of Kine. The possibility to incorporate video into such a system was also a contributing factor. The fact that today we have large variety of wireless systems, e.g. phones and various other computer controlled equipment, reiterates how important this development is. In the future we not only see the need and implementation of wireless systems increase but in the future we also see integration of such systems into variety of applications for professionals in the field of rehabilitation, preventive actions and related disciplines.

Auris is working on the development of a new drug for external use against acute otitis media (ear infection). The business idea involves using a well known bacteriacidal chemical which is put in specially designed ear-plugs that are then placed in the external ear. The treatment is supposed to replace the traditional antibiotic treatment. Side-effects often follow antibiotic treatment and therefore there is an acute need for other treatment. Clinical research has been conducted where the drug was tested on children with acute otitis media (ear infection). Today the company is seeking collaboraters for the ongoing development and preparation for the marketing of the drug.

Akthelia Pharmaceuticals was established to advance the inventions of the founders that show that small molecules can stimulate the innate immunity to cure infections. The company develops anti-infective therapies that contain these small molecules. The drug development is based on research conducted at the University of Iceland and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Akthelia’s therapies employ a mechanism of action that is unlike any anti-infective therapy currently used in the treatment of infectious disease. These treatments could be used to eliminate bacterial strains that are resistant to classical treatments. Akthelia has filed two patent applications and is conducting pre-clinical and clinical studies to investigate the efficacy of its small molecule therapies in gastro-intestinal and respiratory infections. Akthelia is seeking collaborators to further advance the drug development.

Genis develops methods for using aminosugars in treatment of inflammatory and degenerative conditions in bone, cartilage and other tissues. The aminosugars are derived from shrimp shells and the projects have three focus points. 1. optimization of methods to use aminosugars in bone healing implants for use in orthopedic surgery 2. optimization of methods to use amino oligosugars for oral treatment of inflammatory diseases and 3. investigation of the involvement of aminosugars in various biochemical processes in the attempt to reveal the biology behind the apparent therapeutic activity of the aminosugars. The R&D projects employ methods of cell and molecular biology, tissue cultures, experimental animal models and human clinical trials. Most of the projects are carried out in collaboration with scientists and institutions in Iceland, Europe and the USA. Genis owns one granted patent in Europe, Japan and USA and two pending patents in more than 30 countries.

The company was founded to develop and market retinal oximeter. The most common cause of blindness in the developed world is believed to involve disturbance in the oxygenation of the back of the eye. This includes diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Oxymap manufactures and supports the Retinal oximeter. The product measures the retinal vessel oxygenation and diameter. Oxymap employs 10 people of which there are 5 full time employees. Current projects include: developing software for the oximeter, securing intellectual properties though patent applications, establishing a quality system and seeking marketing licenses. Oxymap collaborates with opinion leaders in the field of ophthalmology to carry out clinical research to demonstrate the usability of the product. The oximetry algorithm and the Oxymap retinal oximeter fits well into the product base of the major players in the ophthalmology equipment industry.

Lifeind was founded in 2001 as a spin-off company from research at the University of Iceland. Lifeind has a novel approach within the biotech industry with regards to quality analysis of complex nucleic acid samples using two-dimensional electrophoresis. The company has been developing instrument and consumables to be able to offer customers an efficent, quick and reliable way to analyse their samples with two-dimensional electophoresis. In 2008 a sister company of Lifeind, BioCule (Scotland) Limited was founded. The purpose of that company is to prepare production of instruments and consumables and take care of marketing and business realations. Testing of the instruments and further application development and reasearch are being done in Iceland. The company has three published or pending patents. Marketing of the technology, instruments and consumables has started with introduction to selected scientists and research institutions. The company had three employees last year.