High hopes for 'cancer curing' kits
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GROUND-BREAKING technology which could transform cancer care for patients across the UK is a step closer to being built in the Highlands – and will bring more than 100 jobs to the area, according to an Elgin-based businessman.
Steve Hunt’s engineering company Alceli is now in more promising talks with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) about possible funding packages available to open Scotland’s first manufacturing and treatment base for the world’s most advanced radiotherapy machines – here in Inverness.
The Highland-based engineering firm has developed a smaller and more efficient version of the huge 90-tonne advanced proton beam therapy machines being installed at NHS hospitals in Manchester and London as part of a £250 million UK Government investment.
It wants to set up its manufacturing base in the Highlands but feared the plan could be scuppered by HIE.
Mr Hunt claimed that up till now HIE "just keep delaying and delaying" and seemed "totally uninterested" in helping the scheme to attract investment from overseas.
But in the latest turn of events he said things were looking more positive.
Speaking this week he said: "Things are improving, HIE is talking to us. And in a couple of weeks myself, our accountants, and HIE are going to have a meeting to look at some possible scenarios.
"Although time is now short, we are hoping this translates into a positive outcome for our project and the jobs it can bring to the region. But we are still not fixed on a location, all options are on the table."
A spokeswoman for HIE, said: "We have had useful discussions with Mr Hunt and have met with him to discuss his business plans, opportunities for life science businesses in the region, and potential locations for his business.
"We are working closely with our partners in Scottish Development International about this inward investment proposal and we look forward to meeting Mr Hunt again in April."
Mr Hunt was down south carrying out testing in a government laboratory in Cheshire last week.
He said his machines can treat patients at a fifth of the price of the massive machines going into the hospitals in Manchester and London.
He said Thai investors are talking about ploughing millions of pounds into building his machines to lease to hospitals.
The kit, hailed as a cancer treatment milestone, is said to kill tumours without damaging surrounding tissue and is particularly effective for brain cancer cases and on children.
It could be available to treat people from all over the Highlands at Raigmore Hospital or another location.
In an ideal scenario the investor would gift one of the machines to NHS Scotland to treat up to 40 patients per day.
