Food safety testing firm ToxiMet has moved to Kent Science Park after graduating from its university campus home.

The University of Greenwich spin-out company will use its new combined office and laboratory base on the Sittingbourne park to launch its high-tech, but simple to use, ToxiMet System.

The novel instrument will be used to accurately measure the levels of naturally-occurring poisons such as mycotoxins that are present in many commodity foods. As a result, ToxiMet’s technology would be able to reduce the impact of these potent fungal toxins on human and animal health, and to satisfy stringent regulatory and trade specifications.

Mycotoxins contaminate a quarter of the world’s crops, including cereals, edible nuts, dried fruit, spices, dairy products, animal feed, coffee, wines, beers and cocoa, making them unsafe to consume. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates global losses of foodstuffs due to mycotoxins are in the range of 1,000 million tonnes per year.

Raymond Coker, Founder and Chief Technical Officer at ToxiMet and the University of Greenwich’s Emeritus Professor of Food Safety, said he hopes the product’s global launch in November will provide the springboard for the company to become a major player in the multi-billion food testing industry.

“The ToxiMet System will enhance food safety from producer to consumer,” he said. “The tool matches the gold standard product currently available to suppliers in terms of performance, but, crucially, is much cheaper and does not require a large laboratory space and a specially-trained scientist to operate it.

“We trialled the system earlier this year and feedback was incredibly positive. We are now ready to launch the product onto the global market, selling to customers across Europe, India, China, South America and the United States.

“It has taken us five years to get to this point but now that we’re here I’m extremely excited.”

Prof Coker said the company, which has recently created two new positions, taking the workforce to twelve, was likely to grow further soon.This expected expansion was one of the main reasons for choosing to relocate the firm to Kent Science Park.

He said: “The site was able to provide us with both high-spec laboratory and office space, something that is hard to find. Kent Science Park can also provide us with more space as we expand.”

Welcoming ToxiMet to its 3,800 sq ft office and lab space, James Speck, Site Director at Kent Science Park, said he was thrilled the company had become the park’s latest tenants.

“ToxiMet’s decision to relocate to Kent Science Park strengthens our working relationship with the University of Greenwich.

“The company is well-placed to become one of the food safety industry’s biggest players. We are looking forward to providing them with all the space and business support they need to succeed and grow in the coming months andyears.

“Prof Coker has shown that science-based professionals can use their industry expertise to become successful entrepreneurs. We can assist such start-ups in turning their ideas into a working business.”

The ToxiMet System is a platform technology that can be applied to abroad range of applications; wherever there is a need for a simple, accurate, inexpensive and rapid means of measuring compounds of interest.

Other potential applications within the food sector include the measurement of pesticide and veterinary residues, toxins and indicators of food quality. Outside of the food sector the tool can be used to test the level of environmental pollutants and counterfeit drugs. Applications are also anticipated in the forensic and healthcare sectors.

Businesses interested in relocation to the Park should visit www.kentsciencepark.co.uk or call James Speck on 01795 411500. For more information on ToxiMet please visit www.toximet.com or call Howard Plaut on 0797 742 4956.

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