Two firms developing the technology to deliver healthcare, via laptops and mobile phones, have begun operating in Elgin.
The new life science ventures are being established at the Alexander Graham Bell Centre after securing financial support from Highlands and Island Enterprise.
Both initiatives involve applying digital innovation to improve healthcare provision. The area of research is a speciality of the £6.5million AGBC which opened in 2014.
Healthfit Digital will be developing a platform, providing patients with information, via tablets, mobile phones or the internet which will allow them to better manage their condition.
In the next two years, the venture is expected to create seven full-time jobs and a projected turnover of £1.4million. It has secured £130,000 investment from HIE towards the costs of establishing and developing the business.
AllsWell meanwhile, intends to develop whole health management systems, by using a combination of wellness clinic and digitally-enabled support.
The joint venture between the Moray-based Shen Foundation and the global HanWang Forum, has secured a £15,000 investment from HIE to develop a prototype “app” for community health monitoring. The company has embarked on a three-month £50,000 development phase.
Jamie Hogg of Healthfit Digital said: “We are a new company which is creating information for patients through a digital channel format.
“We are very pleased to be able to operate from the excellent facilities at the Alexander Graham Bell centre and look forward to linking to the expertise in Moray College and business in Moray.”
June McGuire of AllsWell added: “We are delighted to be running the research and pilot phases of our community-based healthcare model from the AGB building.
“It is a perfect context for our programme, which is investigating the combination of self-health care practices with digital health trackers and BIG data analysis. We are currently in phase two of our pilot.”
David Oxley, HIE area manager in Moray, said: “Life sciences is a growth sector for the Scottish economy and a priority for HIE. The sector has seen rapid growth in the Highlands and Islands over the past ten years, with significant future potential.”
