Global phase imaging enhancement technology Iatia Limited (ASX: IAT) has announced the key findings of an independent third party report by SciMed Partners Inc. The report was commissioned by Iatia to conduct analysis of the landscape of their intellectual property.

SciMed Partners confirmed Iatia's target markets: the life sciences, metrology, ophthalmology and defence have large potential product and licensing opportunities.

The report used several search strategies to assess Iatia's freedom to operate in its target markets. It also identified companies and individuals that were potential competitors or customers. In addition, the report studied the characteristics of the patents that surfaced to determine filing activity and relevance to others.

Highlights

• A relatively small number of individuals and companies have similar technology but there are unique elements of Iatia's patents (namely their algorithm that solves the transport of intensity equation) that distinguish it from potential competitors.
• Although it is impossible to be exhaustive and definitive, the searches conducted suggest that Iatia generally has "freedom to operate" in its target markets.
• Technologies and applications found in the search are quite different from those of Iatia.
• Peripheral potential applications in consumer electronics (3D gaming and imaging, extended depth of field imaging and autofocus), and 3D scanning/inspection were prominent.
• Metrology and its market segments of industrial inspection, 3D scanning, and life sciences metrology appear to be the closest fit to Iatia's technology and patents. Metrology is a rich and broad area that spans live-cell microscopy to semiconductor wafer inspection.
• Some of these market segments are larger opportunities and would need to be analysed via a market assessment to complete a commercialisation plan.
• Prominent defence contractors Lockheed and Boeing might be candidates for licensing Iatia's technology based on their interest and prior activity in this area as these military primes are interested in new technology and partnering as a means of fostering innovation.

Recommendations:

The report recommends Iatia consider the following markets and market segments for their technology:

• Metrology - industrial inspection, 3D scanning/imaging, microscopy / materials characterisation, life sciences (microscopy), life sciences (ophthalmology)
• Defence - surveillance, range-finding , weapons and aviation, materials characterisation
• Consumer Electrics - digital photography, 3D gaming, 3D imaging, image processing (extended depth of focus), focus optimisation (autofocus)

Iatia was pleased with the report's outcomes as it is supports their current strategy and will use this information to further refine its business strategy and market approaches.