Network Medical looks to Asia to promote revolutionary eye surgery device

Network Medical, a market leading designer and manufacturer of surgical instruments, has used a grant from UK Trade & Investment to pay for a visit to Seoul in South Korea to market its latest device to a group of eye surgeons.

The Ripon-based company has developed a device for advanced corneal surgery – the Tan EndoGlide – in collaboration with eye surgeon Professor Donald Tan, who is the medical director of The Singapore National Eye Centre.

Frank Fearnley, the business development manager at Network Medical, which employs 24 staff, said: "The EndoGlide is making a huge impact in eye surgery as more and more surgeons become aware of its benefits compared to existing transplant methods.

"However, it is vital the device gets widespread overseas exposure so the professionals can see how revolutionary it is."

He continued: "The type of corneal surgery this is aimed at is growing massively – from a four per cent base in the US in 2005, for example, it reached 41 per cent in 2008.

"The foothold in South Korea is another major milestone for the company; it opens more doors at the highest level.

"As part of the same visit, I was also able to go to the major ophthalmic congress in Asia which was in Beijing."

UKTI International trade adviser Peter Tweddle, who has worked with Network Medical, said: "UKTI has helped Network Medical over several years with guidance and support.

"This has included providing contacts with our embassies and funding support.

"There are many opportunities abroad and they are a very experienced specialist company.

"We will keep on backing them and encouraging them in every way we can to target new countries and emerging markets."

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