Stuart Hannah is the CEO and Co-Founder of Microplate Dx; a Strathclyde spin-out developing a novel diagnostic platform to tackle the major global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR happens when bacteria and fungi evolve to develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.
Globally, there were an estimated five million AMR-associated deaths in 2019, and by 2050, AMR could kill more than cancer and diabetes combined. Microplate Dx is developing a test which indicates the correct antibiotic for each patient in under one hour - significantly quicker than current methods, which can take several days. The technology is sensor-based and designed for use at the point-of-care, meaning patients get the right antibiotic treatment straightaway.
After completing an undergraduate degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Stuart went on to study a PhD in the same subject, focusing on developing low-cost flexible sensors for novel robotic applications. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne in the South of France, before eventually returning to Strathclyde to work in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This is where he began working with colleagues Professor Damion Corrigan and Paul Hoskisson as part of the Microplate Dx team.
After transitioning from the technical to commercial lead in the project, Stuart also became a Strathclyde Knowledge Exchange Fellow as well as a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellow. This commercial experience allowed Stuart to step away from the University and join the business full time as CEO when it officially spun out in March 2022.
Stuart credits the Strathclyde Inspire Industry Engagement & Commercialisation team with guiding the team through the entire spin-out process, from initial invention disclosure and application advice which helped secure a variety of funding, to negotiating the terms of their Intellectual Property (IP) licence and accessing facilities, all while highlighting the company’s journey and success in the press and on social media.
The Microplate team progressed through the University’s ‘stage gated’ process to commercialisation, all the while Inspire’s wide network helped them access key stakeholders including mentors, Commercial Champions, technical advisors and local investors. They were also able to attend upskilling events on various topics such as IP, pitching skills, business model development, finances, and networking events.
Inspire has helped us commercialise the technology every step of the way, from initial market research, customer discovery, stakeholder engagement, securing funding, to spinning out.
Looking ahead at the next five years, Stuart and the rest of the team aim to have their products regulatory approved and on the market, beginning with urinary tract infections and then hopefully expanding their product portfolio into a number of different areas of real clinical need, such as sepsis and fungal infections. He would also love to see the team grow and move into their own premises!
Stuart believes that the core attributes required to become a successful entrepreneur are motivation, resilience, perseverance, creative thinking, and agility. Offering advice to prospective entrepreneurs, he says:
Go for it! Seek advice and speak to as many people as possible. The ecosystem is very supportive and want you to do well. Be prepared to work hard and put the hours in, however, it can be very lucrative professionally and personally on a whole number of levels!
