February 2012 - The Duke of York today visited UK technology company Symetrica, which was spun out of the University of Southampton and is based at the University of Southampton Science Park. Symetrica is a highly innovative company providing next generation radiation detection and identification solutions for the US Homeland Security Market.

Symetrica has been a beneficiary of support from the SETsquared Business Acceleration Programme, an enterprise collaboration of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey.

Symetrica has developed sophisticated techniques which can detect and accurately identify radioactive materials that could pose a threat to security, even when they are hidden in heavily shielded containers. The company’s technology is at the heart of Smiths Detection’s RadSeekerTM, a new radionuclide detector developed by the companies in partnership with the U.S. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) which recently issued a $4.5M order for RadSeeker DL units.

“Future success and continued growth is founded on the capability of our next generation technology some of which is currently being commissioned on our new portal test facility” said Heddwyn Davies, Symetrica’s CEO. “There is a great opportunity for these technologies to solve some of the most difficult challenges faced by those who are charged with preventing the illegal trafficking of radioactive materials.”

“His Royal Highness was keen to meet Symetrica, and to understand how their innovative technology is winning export sales for the UK,” said David Bream, Director of SETsquared Business Acceleration programme at Southampton University. “Symetrica is one of many examples of early stage companies supported by SETsquared that have become commercial success stories, and that are helping to drive the UK’s economic growth.”

The Duke of York’s role in support of The Queen as Head of State, focuses on helping British businesses to create prosperity for the United Kingdom. In particular His Royal Highness provides support to SMEs and entrepreneurs and helps young people gain the skills needed by Industry in areas such as science and engineering.
His Royal Highness was able to see some of this technology in action.

Note to editors:
Photographs from The Duke’s visit are available on request.

About Symetrica (www.symetrica.com)
Symetrica offers high technology radiation detection solutions for Homeland Security. Symetrica partners with Prime Contractors to incorporate ‘disruptive’ technology into security products for the world-wide market. Symetrica’s continued success is founded on the creation of new capabilities in the detection and identification of nuclear materials. Our applications include; advanced radiation identifying pagers, personnel portals, vehicle portals and cargo portals and a new class of primary portals with Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) classification.
Symetrica is poised for significant growth based on the continued success of its portfolio of unique detection and identification solutions for the Homeland Security Market.

About the SETsquared Partnership (www.setsquared.co.uk)
The SETsquared Partnership is the enterprise collaboration of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. Together, the universities employ 7,400 academic staff; earn nearly 10% of the UK’s higher education research budget; and produce 11% of all UK university patents.
The partnership has a 10-year track record of supporting companies through its business acceleration centres, which provide access to industry specialists, investors and experienced entrepreneurs. SETsquared currently supports over 250 early stage high-tech, high growth potential businesses, and 88% of its incubated companies are still in business three years on. In the past five years, nearly £0.75bn in investment funding has been raised by spin outs and incubated companies.
SETsquared supports student enterprise including an annual showcase and a global scholars program. It provides opportunities for industry to access academic ideas with commercial potential and seeks to promote the impact, economically and socially, of its institutions’ research and enterprise activities.
Twitter: @SETsquared

Further information about SETsquared:
Nick Daines / Sheelagh Connelly, Lumen PR
nick[at]lumenpr[dot]com / sheelagh[at]lumenpr[dot]com
Tel: 0115 8412109
Mobile: 07958 534731 / 07788 432424

Further information about Symetrica:
Geraint Dermody
g.dermody[at]symetrica[dot]com
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 11 580
Mobile: +44 (0) 7545 984 540

Distributed on behalf of SETsquared by NeonDrum news distribution service (http://www.neondrum.com)