Micrima, the innovative Bristol firm developing technology that could revolutionise breast cancer detection, has appointed respected biomedical professional Dr Peter Bannister as chief technology officer.
Dr Bannister joins from Cardiff-based Alesi Surgical, where he held the post of head of operations responsible for research and development, manufacturing and distribution. Alesi Surgical’s pioneering Ultravision product is used to ensure very high levels of cleanliness in operating theatres. 
Dr Bannister, who holds a doctorate in medical Image Analysis from the University of Oxford, joins Micrima as it continues to develop its MARIA (Multistatic Array processing for Radiowave Image Acquisition) breast imaging system – a safe, low-cost way of improving breast cancer detection.
In April Micrima gained European regulatory approval for MARIA, paving the way for further supportive clinical trials in the UK and expansion into Europe. The non-invasive technology is on track to provide the first true alternative to X-ray mammography for decades. It is now in pre-commercialisation clinical trials at several breast cancer imaging centres throughout the UK.
Originally a spin-out from the University of Bristol and now based at the Engine Shed innovation hub, Micrima counts Bristol & Bath Science Park-based Technology Venture Partners, Swarraton Partners, the Angel Co-Fund and a growing list of business angels among its backers.
While at Oxford, Dr Bannister was senior college lecturer in Engineering Science at Keble College and one of the original developers of the FMRIB Software Library (FSL), which remains the gold standard for functional neuroimaging analysis.
He is also chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Healthcare Technologies Network, which represents the technical and professional interests of the institution’s international membership working in biomedical and healthcare engineering fields.
Dr Bannister said: “I am very excited by this unique opportunity to play a role in the development of a truly novel medical imaging modality where there is both a genuine need for the technology as well as a growing body of robust clinical evidence generated for the system.
“With the team in Bristol, I look forward to addressing numerous opportunities to evolve the MARIA system so that it delivers increased levels of information that can aid radiologists in the early and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.”
Micrima executive chairman Roy Johnson added: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure Peter in this new role. With CE mark now on board, Micrima is strengthening the senior team and Peter comes in with exactly the right background to help accelerate our development programmes and make the MARIA imaging system the game-changer it promises to be.”
