Oxonica

Oxonica was a nanotechnology company that developed and commercialized engineered nanomaterials for the healthcare, personal care, and energy sectors. Spun out from the University of Oxford in 1999, the company became a leader in the application of nanoparticles to solve industrial and medical challenges. Its healthcare division focused on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technology, which enabled the development of highly sensitive diagnostic tests for various biomarkers. The company's most notable products included Optisol, an advanced UV filter for sunscreens, and Envirox, a fuel-borne catalyst designed to improve fuel economy. Following a period of commercial growth and a public listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM, the company's diagnostics business was acquired by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) in 2010.