HIV blood scanner firm Daktari set up in Inverness

Over 100 people will be employed in Inverness to build HIV blood scanners for a US medical technology firm, it was announced today.

Massachusetts-based Daktari Diagnostics will create 126 jobs at a new factory in Inverness.

Scottish Government agencies will contribute £2.2 million, equivalent to almost £17,500 for every job, to the £12 million project.

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Daktari produce a scanner which counts CD4 cells, the host cells for HIV which deplete as the infection takes hold, and is designed for use in harsh, remote areas.

First Minister Alex Salmond said he played a key role in brokering the deal to bring Daktari to Scotland during a meeting at the Scottish Open golf tournament in Inverness last year.

He will hold a follow-up meeting in New York today as part of his Scotland Week programme which is aimed at encouraging inward investment.

The investment is “a testament to Scotland’s increasing reputation as a growing life sciences community and as the ideal place to invest and do business”, according to Mr Salmond.

“They have been attracted to the Highlands and Islands to join an internationally renowned cluster of activity, and add to a growing Scottish life sciences sector which is worth more than £3.1 billion to the economy annually.”

Scotland beat “extremely competitive” locations such as Singapore, the US and Canada, according to Highlands and Islands Enterprise chief executive Alex Paterson.

“The Highlands and Islands is proving to be an attractive location for innovative businesses involved in researching and developing healthcare technologies. Our region is now home to more than 80 life sciences organisations, including Scotland’s largest life sciences business,” he said.

Daktari is also expanding in the US, Germany and in certain African countries.

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The Scottish venture will see mass production of blood testing cartridges as early as next year.

Bill Rodriguez, managing director of Daktari Diagnostics, said: “Inverness offers companies like ours considerable support and a great location, with a highly educated workforce and an ability to expand rapidly to support the demand for our new product.”

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