Business Challenges
To reach customers beyond research bodies and install OPM-MEG systems in medical institutions, requires clinical approval, which in turn necessitates resources and regulatory navigation.
After the successful acquisition of £1.7m from Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst Fund, it not only opened doors to transforming patient care but also enhanced Cerca's reputation as an innovator in the medical device industry. Clinical approval would enable them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals suffering from debilitating conditions, particularly children and young people.
Another challenge they have faced is the technical complexity of their product design and manufacturing. As a start-up, they initially did not have the necessary software tools for mechanical design, which led to inefficiencies, high costs, and dependency on external suppliers for design updates.
Siemens software solutions have helped enormously to address this challenge, and the relationship between our two companies has gone from strength to strength over the last 3 years.
Keys to Success
Their quantum-enabled brain imaging system, which provides unparalleled insights into brain function, sets them apart from competitors in the field. By addressing a critical gap in neurological diagnostics, their MEG system has the potential to revolutionize treatment for conditions like epilepsy, giving the company a strong foundation for growth and impact.
A critical component of their business strategy is their adoption of Siemens software solutions, including NX, Simcenter, and Teamcenter. These tools have allowed Cerca to bring their design processes in-house, reducing lead times, costs, and dependency on external consultants.
By streamlining workflows, enhancing product quality, and enabling customization, the company can respond more rapidly to market demands. Their partnership with Emixa has been another factor, providing them with valuable expertise and support in implementing these solutions.
"With NX, our costs are reduced drastically, allowing us to have an agile internal development workflow, reducing rework time from weeks to days, which will be useful for releasing our product to market as quickly as possible and becoming the market leader for OPM-MEG devices".
Frank Worcester
Engineering Team Leader
Results
The implementation of Siemens software solutions has yielded substantial improvements in design and manufacturing efficiency. When the system was first purchased, the flexibility of token licensing meant no limits for future development at a time whereby long-term requirements were not known, allowing the use of software features such as Lattice generation, Realize Shape and Algorithmic Modelling. With NX, Simcenter, and Teamcenter, Cerca has reduced design time by 66% and slashed customization lead times from weeks to mere hours.
These advancements have not only cut costs by half but also enabled more agile internal development processes. The ability to handle complex designs whilst collaborating directly with researchers has further accelerated their innovation cycle.
Overall, these results underscore Cerca Magnetics' success in leveraging technology to drive significant advancements in medical diagnostics and position themselves as leaders in their industry. With a track record such as theirs, we are sure clinical approval is soon to follow.