News

K2 Medical Systems started on the Park when it was opened in 1999 and is now planning to move its 36 staff to a new purpose built 10,000 square foot development on the Council owned Plymouth International Medical and Technology Business Park.

Planning permission has been granted at the site, with building work due to start in July and the move scheduled for early next year.

K2 Medical Systems began as a spin-out company from University of Plymouth and Derriford Hospital. Led by Dr Robert Keith the company has developed a range of medical software programmes to support midwives and obstetricians in delivery suites and neonatal units around the world, from London, New York and Sydney to the Shetland Isles, St Helena and Gibraltar.

As it has grown, the company has moved several times within the Park but having doubled its staff in the last 18 months it now needs larger premises.

K2 Medical Systems has developed a number of award winning and innovative technologies all with the aim of improving care for mother and baby during pregnancy and childbirth. K2’s online teaching software is installed in 90% of UK maternity hospitals as well as many hospitals throughout Australia and United States. K2’s maternity computer systems are also installed in many of the UK and Ireland’s leading women’s hospitals.

The company has a number of new products in development, including INFANT. INFANT can infer the condition of the baby during birth and alert clinicians to potential problems. INFANT has recently been evaluated in the largest maternity study funded by the NHS that involved 47,000 births in 20 leading hospitals. The results are being analysed by an independent research team from University College London to assess its effectiveness. Based on Managing Director Dr Robert Keith’s original PhD research, the commercial development of INFANT could mark a further step change for the company.

The business, which has subsidiary companies in Australia and the US, is also focusing on translating its programmes for European markets.

K2 Medical Systems Director Dr Robert Keith said: “I remember seeing the original plans for the Park and realising then what an imaginative step this was for Plymouth. K2 Medical Systems has lived the vision of Plymouth Science Park.

“The flexible arrangements and support of the Park made it very easy for us to start and grow the business. Plymouth Science Park has supported us with every step of our journey over the past 15 years and we are now ready to take the next exciting step of owning our own premises.”

Plymouth Science Park Chairman Simon Chamberlain said: “Plymouth Science Park has nurtured over 200 businesses over the last 20 years. We are very proud to see our longest-standing tenant, which has grown from a start-up to a major global company, spreading its wings. The future looks very bright for K2 Medical Systems and I wish them every success.”

Professor Julian Beer, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional Enterprise at Plymouth University said: “Plymouth Science Park is home to many innovative businesses, which enjoy strong links with Plymouth University and other knowledge-based companies in the region.

“K2 Medical Systems is a prime example of a company that has flourished on the Park and established itself globally. This is a very exciting time for them and we look forward to following their future growth in Plymouth.”

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “By selling a one acre site, a whole new chapter for this flourishing company gets underway.

“This company has gone from strength to strength, creating a highly-skilled work force, and adding their weight to Plymouth’s precision engineering credentials. Their story is a perfect example of why this city regards Plymouth Science Park as so vital to nurturing business.

“It is also fantastic to see the Council continue to play a supporting role in this success story, by enabling the company to expand onto this land, which was specifically set aside for job creation.”

For more information about Plymouth Science Park, please visit www.plymouthsciencePark.com/.