Ziath partnership with Herts delivers cutting-edge software that increased revenue by 20%
Cambridge-based biotechnology company Ziath came to the University of Hertfordshire for expert support with the development and commercialisation of the first portable biospecimen 2D barcode tube scanning device that uses AI technology.
The aim was to create a new product that would significantly improve sample management detection and identification processes in the life sciences sector, expanding Ziath’s suite of biotech products which simplify processes in a wide range of organisations, including pharma companies, academic research institutions and forensics departments.
Ziath wanted to develop an AI-enabled and portable state-of-the-art version of its 2D barcode scanner that would rapidly decrease the number of false identifications of 2D barcodes within its scanning technology and enable a low-powered portable system.
Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Hertfordshire, the Ziath team were matched with the university experts who met with the KTP project team on a weekly basis to share advice and steer the project forwards. Within the first few months of the project, the team developed a new software product that employs AI techniques to enable identification of large numbers of laboratory samples in just seconds, creating a product that detects samples ten times faster than the older 2D barcode scanning software with a 10 percent improvement in accuracy.
Working collaboratively, the project team delivered the cutting-edge new software product well ahead of schedule, leading to a 20 percent uplift in Ziath’s revenue. The KTP project team went on to develop a portable real-time 2D barcode scanner with embedded FPGA and AI technologies, which will launch to market in Oct 2023 following successful demonstration of the beta prototype at industry events across the world.
“Partnering with the University of Hertfordshire was key in the successful development of our innovative new AI-enabled software product and led to its early roll-out to market, just eight months into our KTP,” said Neil Benn, Director at Ziath. “Working with the University’s team helped us create a product that uses the latest technology to meet our clients’ needs, deploying artificial intelligence to increase the speed and success rate for identifying barcodes. The product has been so successful that product revenue rose by 20% within the first year of launch and we are continuing to see an uplift in profits. The success of the KTP with Herts has also seen us grow our team from 12 to 22 members of staff, with three members of the team a direct result of the KTP.”
Zoe Jeffrey, KTP supervisor at the University of Hertfordshire, said “Our team at the University is hugely experienced in supporting small businesses as they commercialise their innovations. Innovation and research are at the core of our organisation, and we’re here to help companies realise the business potential of their innovations. Following the commercial success of the product development in our first KTP with Ziath, we’re excited to be supporting them with a second KTP project this year.”
Supported by funding from Innovate UK, Ziath completed its first KTP with Herts in June 2023 and its team is in the process of completing a second programme to further develop its suite of biotechnology products. The latest KTP with the University aims to design and manufacture a new laboratory sample management consumable to meet the needs of high throughput clinical laboratories and the management of samples in deep freeze storage by enabling faster, accurate sample identification at low temperatures.
Following the market success of its recent product innovations, Ziath was acquired in 2023 by US-based company Azenta who will support its continued Research and Development activities.