ITI Techmedia's newest R&D Programme, Chronic Wound Care, aims to develop a point of care diagnostic platform technology that can be readily applied to diagnose and monitor wound infection both in a clinical environment and in the community.

ITI foresighting activity in this space indicates an addressable market for wound care diagnostics estimated between GBP1.4bn and GBP2.8bn by 2017.

With this market potential in mind, ITI Techmedia plans to develop diagnostic technologies for infection and other parameters linked to chronic wound healing, that enable application of appropriate therapies that will significantly improve patient's quality of life and reduce associated healthcare costs. The Chronic Wound Care R&D Programme will focus on diabetes-related chronic wounds e.g. diabetic foot ulcers, but the envisaged technology platform is also intended to be applicable to other major wound categories and other markets, such as veterinary.

The Chronic Wound Care R&D Programme is the ninth in ITI Techmedia's portfolio and is expected to take three and a half years to develop.