Identical twins Andrew and Michael Remes have combined their skills to create a pioneering biomedical company.
Andrew, a bio-engineer, and brother Michael, a computer consultant, formed Remes Biomedical three years ago to use advanced computer techniques in the field of biocompatibility research and testing.
''Both of us wanted to know how best to marry our different skills,'' explained Andrew who, with his brother, is joint managing director of Remes.
Andrew gained an immunology degree from Glasgow University, and a PhD in bio-engineering from Liverpool University, while Michael graduated from Stirling University with a degree in computing science and management.
''It took us 18 months to come up with the final idea on how to best combine our skills, and with the help of a number of people we were able to form the company.''
The brothers received the backing of Targeting Technology, an arm of the Glasgow Development Agency to develop their programmes which help major medical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Smith & Nephew to perfect their products.
''We research and test medical devices to ensure their safety and that they will carry out their functions in the human body,'' explained Andrew.
Remes Biomedical has already received #83,000 in grants from Targetting Technology, and they have now applied for a Smart grant from the DTI to allow the company to embark on a #62,000 project to carry out research into agents that prevent scarring.
''We want to produce a model to allow companies to test the anti-scarring agents they are developing,'' said Andrew.
The company, which is now based in Glasgow University's Robertson Building, develops computer programmes which allow medical companies to test which bio-materials are best suited for use in wound dressings, pacemakers, and replacement hips.
They recently signed a letter of co-operation with IMA, a Germany company based in Dresden which tests how strong the material used in medical devices are, and this allows them to offer companies a complete one-stop service.
''We really are at the cutting edge of our science,'' said Andrew. ''Our customers invent the products, and we invent the computer programmes which allow them to decided which are the best materials to use when producing the products.''
Remes Biomedical has a turnover of #125,000 a year but it is the brothers' intention to quickly grow the company to a #1m turnover with customers across the globe.
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