Drug tester Oxtox targets exports

A STOCKPORT firm is anticipating strong export sales of a handheld device that can test if drivers have been using cannabis.

Oxtox’s Drugsensor will enable police to determine whether a driver has been using the drug by taking a saliva sample. If the substance is present it will trigger an electrical charge in the device.

The company, originally an Oxford University spin-out, is in the final months of testing and hopes to have the product ready for market within nine to 12 months. It already has a collaboration agreement in place with Australian breath testing firm Alcolizer.

Chief executive Dennis Camilleri said: “We’ll be able to sell into UK markets and overseas, especially in countries like Australia where there’s a very strong zero tolerance for the use of drugs during driving. In the UK there’s a drive towards getting legislation in place by 2014 for this purpose.”

A year ago the company secured £100,000 from the government’s Small Business Research Institute to test and develop its technology and it has also taken an equity investment of £250,000 from the North West Fund for Biomedical, managed by SPARK Impact. It also has investment from business angels and stock market-listed IP Group.

As well as police forces it is targeting companies that want to test employees. The company is also working on technology that will allow the device to test for other drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine.