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The company
Iatia Limited (ASX:IAT) is a leading wavefront imaging company. Iatia's high resolution digital technology allows you to see the invisible. Iatia licenses its globally patented technology, QPI, for imaging in the life sciences, ophthalmology, nanotechnology and defense. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Iatia is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
The Iatia Group was founded by Vincent Thiang in 1999. A license from the University of Melbourne for Iatia's QPI technology was obtained in 2001. Following the international launch of Iatia's first QPI product for the microscopy market, Iatia Limited was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in April 2002. In February 2005, Iatia announced the incorporation of QPI by GE Healthcare into a cell analyzer product and in June 2005, Iatia entered into a Capability Technology Demonstrator (CTD) contract with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to transfer QPI capability to defense applications.
Along with key evaluations of QPI in the life sciences and nanotechnology markets, Iatia's is collaborating with a major international ophthalmology manufacturer (identity subject to confidentiality) to develop the first QPI enabled ophthalmology device.
Seeing the invisible with QPI
QPI is the next generation of imaging technology. By capturing the phase or wavefront information in light, QPI adds shape and form to an image and enables the imaging of otherwise invisible objects.
QPI is unique in that it is the world's first digital phase/wavefront technique allowing for the capture of high resolution digital wavefront images.
QPI was developed by a team led by internationally renowned scientist, Professor Keith Nugent, then Head of the School of Physics at the University or Melbourne and Inaugural Federation Fellow.
With key market segments in the life sciences, nanotechnology, ophthalmology and defence, QPI has already begun to change the way we view the world.
Business model
Iatia's business model is based on:
- commercializing QPI via an OEM and sub-licensing strategy rather than self-development and manufacture of product and direct sales, allowing for a low running-cost base and minimization of risk;
- marketing a true platform technology, allowing for a large diversification of application opportunities and maximization of returns; and
- distribution of QPI via software with high gross margins.
Agreements & alliances
- A strategic alliance was established with an international ophthalmology and optometry equipment manufacturer to develop a range of products, the first of which will be an autorefractor with an expected release date of late 2007.
- GE Healthcare are now selling an automated cell analyzer incorporating Iatia's technology.
- HREM, a Japanese software company specializing in electron microscopy applications, are selling an electron microscopy product based on Iatia's technology.
- Iatia has recently completed a Defence Science and Technology Organization Capability Technology Demonstrator contract worth up to $2.7 million over three years to test the QPI technology for applications in passive surveillance, camouflage negation and target ranging.
Awards
- In 2002 Iatia won the prestigious R&D 100 award and was the only Australian company to do so that year. Others to win awards in 2002 included BP, Carl Zeiss, IBM, Dow Chemical, Corning, Ford, General Motors, Hitachi, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA, Pilkington, Pratt & Whitney and Toyota to name but a few.
- In March 2006, Iatia won the Australian Technology Showcase Patrons Award, which recognizes Iatia as an Australian leader in advanced technology.