Malta-based health research company expands into China

A Malta-based health research and innovation company announced today it will be expanding its operations into China.

ATT Research CEO Adrian Attard Trevisan said at a press conference held today that the company had recently signed an exclusive, five-year distributorship with Anseos Group, a leading Medical Sales Agency in China.

According to Attard Trevisan, the Chinese agent will distribute AAT's patented technology, the Brain Music System and MENTe Headband, which together provide the first commercially available aid for managing Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially in children.

"The Chinese market is a strategic market for our medical technologies.  Last March, Anseos managed the AAT stand at China Med 2013, a major medical instruments and equipment exhibition in China, and we started taking orders soon after.  We exported our first headsets to China in April, and are now working to meet new orders and the increased demand," he said.

Parliamentary secretary Stefan Buontempo said:  "AAT Research has developed an innovative product of immense value to the world medical community and public, and also shows us that local companies can use the islands as a viable base from which to foster world-class research and development and reach global markets." 

The parliamentary secretary said the government was working to inspire innovative potential within the Maltese industry. The government is working on various fronts to make this a reality by reducing the bureaucratic hurdles, expanding research funding opportunities, and tapping into new funding opportunities of the Horizon 2020.

In July, AAT will be introducing a proprietary mobile app that connects the MENTe headband to a mobile device or tablet. 

Attard Trevisan explained that following invaluable feedback from the company's first key customers in Malta, AAT has been able to improve its technologies to ensure they are as easy to operate as possible.

The AAT Autism Aid is FDA-approved and CE-certified as a medical aid.  In 2012, the company was awarded the Malta Innovation Award for Technology for its work on MENTe and BMS. 

It is currently being used by an estimated 40 per cent of children with autism spectrum disorder in Malta. 

AAT Research is also currently developing an epilepsy monitoring system which also uses MENTe technology.  The system detects seizures prior to their occurrence and prepares the patient and next of kin for a response to the seizure.

AAT Research was set up in 2012.  Last March, the company relocated its labs to the industrial estate in Marsa.  Later this year, AAT will start manufacturing its own headsets on location in Malta.