Skip to main content
Category

Uncategorized

Nov 11
Love0

Unit 9 Med Tech incubator strengthens West Midlands innovation ecosystem

By Uncategorized

University of Birmingham Enterprise, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the West Midlands Combined Authority have launched Unit 9, a new medical technology incubator that provides flexible, low-cost facilities for medical research, proof of concept and prototyping activity.

Unit 9 is a short-term incubator to bridge the gap for young companies needing space, equipment and facilities, who do not have the funding for initial capital equipment. It supports the West Midlands’ aspiration to lead in medical innovation, grow industries around these activities, and ultimately retain businesses and talent in the region.

David Coleman, CEO of University of Birmingham Enterprise, said: “The West Midlands has the building blocks for future health innovation – expertise in digital healthcare and health data, anchor businesses in diagnostics and testing, and a strong track record in manufacturing medical devices. However there is no short-term incubation specifically for early-stage medical technology companies, so the region risks losing these innovative young companies, and the jobs and training opportunities they could provide.”

David Hardman, Interim Deputy Chair, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) said: “Scaling up start-up businesses is critical to delivering GBSLEP’s mission to drive inclusive, sustainable growth.  From our regular engagement with businesses, we understand how important it is for growing medical technology businesses to have access to good space and talent. That’s why Unit 9 will play an important role in strengthening this region’s reputation in supporting growth businesses in this sector.”

Dr James Elliott, Innovation Lead for West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “Analysis of the sector identified a clear need for short-term laboratory space and the pilot incubator was endorsed by the West Midlands Innovation Board. This initiative strengthens our innovation ecosystem and supports the region’s ambitions of growing the health and medical technology cluster.”

Unit 9 is based at the Birmingham Research Park, with easy access to the University campus and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Tenants will benefit from business support from University of Birmingham Enterprise, an equipment-sharing agreement with the University of Birmingham, and facilities for cell culture or microbiology work at the BioHub Birmingham®.

The licence fee is based on an escalator rent model that matches commercial rents by year three, providing a realistic timeframe for companies to meet development milestones. The GBSLEP Growth Hub will help companies transition to a new base with the West Midlands region at the end of the licence period.

Companies do not need a formal business plan to apply for a tenancy but will be expected to articulate their future plans during the application process.

Enquiries should be directed to Angie Reynolds, Head of Birmingham Research Park.

Mar 16
Love1

Specialist molecular diagnostic company lands in Birmingham

By Uncategorized

March 16, 2022:  Infectious disease diagnostics company Genetic Signatures has joined the BioHub Birmingham® as the launchpad for a planned further expansion into Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The BioHub is the first physical footprint within the UK and Europe for Genetic Signatures, which already provides the EasyScreen™ range of testing kits to countries in Europe and provides clinical diagnostics to the NHS for respiratory and gastro-intestinal diseases, and sexually transmitted infections.

The localisation of service and support is a key focus for Genetic Signatures, which will now include Field Applications Scientists at the BioHub. The BioHub laboratory will support the rapidly expanding European operation to develop protocols, processes and quality performance materials that are necessary for their planned growth into new territories.  The site will also offer customers additional training and technical support opportunities through hands-on learning using Genetic Signatures’ various diagnostic kits and automated platforms.

The team is led by Director John Buckels, an infectious diseases veteran who is already based in the UK.  He commented: “Genetic Signatures has an established customer base in Europe, and taking a physical base for these operations is showcasing the commitment of our investment for future growth in the region”.

The keystone of Genetic Signatures’ offering is the EasyScreen™ range of testing kits which provide rapid and accurate detection of the most common pathogens involved in various human infections.  The kits use a proprietary 3baseTM PCR technology and provides syndromic testing capabilities, using one test to rapidly and simultaneously target multiple bacterial, protozoan and viral pathogens with overlapping signs and symptoms.

Genetic Signatures chose Birmingham because of its excellent transport connections, which provide easy access to the UK and beyond.  The city is already central to the UK’s road and rail network, and its international airport connects Birmingham to global markets.  They chose the BioHub because of its outstanding facilities, and the ability to accommodate the company’s key instrumentation.

David Coleman, CEO of University of Birmingham Enterprise, the organisation that manages the BioHub, commented:  “We are delighted to welcome Genetic Signatures to the BioHub Birmingham®.  Our facilities, and access to expertise, makes our location a great destination for healthcare and life science companies seeking to enter the UK market.  We are part of Birmingham Health Partners in a highly connected ecosystem that has been designated by the UK government as a Life Sciences Opportunity Zone, and also includes the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator, which is due to open in 2023.”

For further media information about the BioHub, contact Ruth Ashton, University of Birmingham Enterprise, email: [email protected].

For commercial information about Genetic Signatures, contact John Buckels, email: [email protected]

About Genetic Signatures Limited

Genetic Signatures is a specialist molecular diagnostics (MDx) company focused on the development and commercialisation of its proprietary platform technology, 3base™. Genetic Signatures designs and manufactures a suite of real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based products for the routine detection of infectious diseases under the EasyScreen™ brand. Genetic Signatures’ proprietary MDx 3base™ platform technology provides high-volume hospital and pathology laboratories the ability to screen for a wide array of infectious pathogens, with a high degree of specificity, in a rapid throughput (time-to-result) environment. Genetic Signatures’ current customers are major hospital and pathology laboratories undertaking infectious disease screening.

The BioHub Birmingham® is a fully serviced biomedical incubator and accelerator designed to house life science companies from proof of concept through to expansion.  It is based at the Birmingham Research Park and managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise, which helps researchers and research-based companies turn their ideas into new services, products and enterprises that meet real-world needs.

Feb 02
Love1

Matoke Holdings to conduct formulation research at the BioHub Birmingham®

By Uncategorized

Matoke Holdings Ltd has joined the community of biomedical R&D companies located in the BioHub Birmingham® and announced the next phase of development for its Reactive Oxygen® technology, which is expected to deliver a major breakthrough in acute, surgical and chronic wound management.

Matoke Holdings is well-known for pioneering the delivery of its patented Reactive Oxygen® (RO®) technology through a bioengineered honey called SurgihoneyRO™, which has shown excellent in vitro and clinical performance and is the only antimicrobial wound dressing to be successfully tested against the WHO priority pathogens.

The company is now developing entirely synthetic Reactive Oxygen® formulations to overcome the limitations of a honey substrate and deliver a suite of products that will speed tissue healing while also being ‘antibiotic sparing’.  These new formulations will provide extended and continuous release of reactive oxygen at low concentrations, and will be presented in a variety of formats to meet the need for wound dressings with antibacterial and antifungal properties that actively promote healing.

Matoke delivered its first synthetic format, a gel called RO-101®, in 2021, and preclinical tests at the UK Health Security Agency laboratories have demonstrated excellent broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, including against multidrug resistant strains.  Further in vitro and ex vivo work is underway to demonstrate its ability to prevent and destroy bacterial biofilms, and show efficacy in an infected skin model. Matoke anticipates being able to start clinical trials for RO-101® in mid-2022.

Matoke is now accelerating the development of techniques for applying RO® coatings to dressings that can effectively manage exudate from wounds as well as delivering antimicrobial efficacy.

The formulation work for the coatings on these dressings will take place at the BioHub, which Matoke chose as the company’s first laboratory space so key research staff could remain within the Birmingham biomedical cluster.

Work at the BioHub will be led by Matoke’s Formulation Lead Dr Thomas Hall, who previously worked at the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Translational Medicine, where he specialised in delivery systems for reactive oxygen to combat infection.

Dr Hall, who joined Matoke in 2021, commented: “There is a huge need for novel approaches that can reduce the use of antibiotics in routine medical care, and reserve them for systemic infection.  Reactive Oxygen® is efficacious against any bacterial species including resistant strains, but its presentation in a honey-based formulation is limiting. We will be developing coatings for wound dressings that can control potential or actual infections, and biofilm if present.”

Matoke has an experienced management team and last year appointed Guy Reynolds as its new CEO to lead the company to its next stage.  It has a portfolio of patents for the delivery of Reactive Oxygen® in a wide range of formats, and is keen to speak to companies that wish to partner to help accelerate the development programme and bring these exciting new wound dressing products to market.

Paul Thompson, Operations Director at Matoke, said: “Our confidence is founded on the clinical success of SurgihoneyRO™ product, which has performed consistently well across a wide range of indications, including chronic and acute wounds, and in preventing surgical site infection.  We expect our novel RO® technology will address the huge unmet needs in the treatment of infected, or hard to heal chronic wounds.”

For further media information please contact Ruth Ashton, University of Birmingham Enterprise, email: [email protected].

Enquiries about partnership with Matoke Holdings should be directed to Will Wijnberg, Commercial Director, Matoke Holdings Ltd, email: [email protected].

About the BioHub Birmingham®

The BioHub Birmingham® is a fully serviced biomedical incubator and accelerator designed to house life science companies from proof of concept through to expansion.  It is based at the Birmingham Research Park and managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise, which helps researchers turn their ideas into new services, products and enterprises that meet real-world needs.  University of Birmingham Enterprise supports innovators and entrepreneurs with mentoring, advice, and training, manages the University’s Academic Consultancy Service, and protects and manages IP for the University of Birmingham.  The University of Birmingham portfolio of technologies available for licensing can be viewed at https://birmingham.portals.in-part.com.

About Matoke Holdings

Matoke Holdings is an R&D focused biotechnology business which has developed the innovative Reactive Oxygen® antimicrobial technology. The company believes this technology is the next major development in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds and has an important role to play as an antibiotic sparing therapy and hence contribute to the vital goal of antimicrobial stewardship. The company is developing a range of delivery formats to treat a variety of clinical indications and expects to begin clinical trials of its first new product, RO-101® antimicrobial wound gel in the second half of 2022. The company is actively seeking partners to accelerate the development programme so that these new and significant treatment options can be made available to patients at the earliest opportunity.

 

Mar 09
Love5

Birmingham researcher awarded £1.68m to fund research in ‘raised brain pressure’

By Uncategorized

March 5, 2020:  Leading researcher Professor Alexandra Sinclair from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research has been awarded £1.68m to fund research into intracranial hypertension (raised brain pressure), and develop a new treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), a rare condition that causes disabling headaches and can lead to blindness.

 

The award from the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust will cover a 5-year programme focussing on IIH, which is most common in women with obesity, and has an incidence that is rising dramatically in line with the global rise in obesity.

The programme of research is also expected to reveal mechanisms behind other conditions that feature raised brain pressure, such as traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus – and also has the potential to help treat raised intracranial pressure associated with space flight.

Professor Sinclair runs one of the world’s largest clinical services for people with IIH, and was instrumental in defining the first international guidelines to drive patient care.

Last year she published research that identified a potential cause for the condition – raised levels of hormones (androgens), which are believed to be an important driver for abnormal brain pressure.  This is a key step in determining the cause for the condition.

The programme of work supported by the award will include a clinical trial to evaluate an innovative new treatment approach discovered by Professor Sinclair and patented by University of Birmingham Enterprise.  The co-investigator in the trial will be Dr Kristian Brock, Principal Statistician from the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

Professor Sinclair commented:  “Although the headaches experienced by people with raised intracranial pressure are overwhelming, long-term and disabling, we lack effective therapies to treat raised intracranial pressure, and there are no dedicated headache treatments.  The drug trial will aim to not only deliver a new treatment, but also further understanding of what causes the headache in IIH.”

NASA’s Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr James Polk commented:  “Although our mechanism for vision change and potential elevations in intracranial pressure in astronauts may be due to the prolonged physiologic changes from weightlessness, we share some significant similarities. This clinical entity of spaceflight may be a different branch of the same tree, possibly with a common trunk. We are working to solve this issue with astronauts, but also want any research and lessons learned we find in space to help those suffering from IIH on the ground. Likewise, Professor Sinclair’s research in the IIH population may have far reaching implications, giving important clues on monitoring and treatment that can be used not only on the ground, but potentially in space.”

Shelly Williamson, Chair of the patient charity IIH UK commented:  “I am delighted to hear that Professor Sinclair has won this prestigious award and look forward with anticipation to the research starting.  IIH devastates lives, with agonising headache caused by the raised brain pressure being the most reported symptom.  To have a drug that works on both brain pressure and headache, that is well tolerated, would be amazing as would research into the mechanistic causes of headache in IIH.  Research such as this has been long awaited by the IIH community and on behalf of the people we support I’d like to thank the Sir Jules Thorn Trust for awarding this grant to Professor Sinclair.”

The Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research aims to fund translational research that will bring benefits to patients through improved diagnosis, or by assisting in the development of new therapies for important clinical problems.  It provides a single grant of up to £1.7m to support a five year programme of translational biomedical research selected following a competition among applicants from the UK’s leading medical schools and NHS organisations.

ENDS

About IIH

A survey conducted in 2019 by the patient charity IIH UK revealed that headache is the overwhelming disabler for people with the condition.  500 people with IIH answered the electronic survey within 7 days, and the perspective from the majority was that:

  • Patients feel abandoned
  • Headache is long term and relentless
  • Devastating implication on family life and ability to work

About the patent

University of Birmingham Enterprise patented the use of GLP-1 analogs in conditions featuring raised intracranial pressure, and received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of IIH from the European Medicines Authority and the US Food & Drug Administration.  These rights, including Orphan Drug Designations for both Europe and the USA have been assigned to biopharmaceutical company Invex Therapeutics, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

About University of Birmingham Enterprise

University of Birmingham Enterprise supports academics who want to innovate, take their ideas to market, work with businesses and social enterprises, or enrich their professional lives by doing academic consultancy projects.  We do this by providing enterprise training, funding, office and laboratory space, and a full technology transfer service.   University of Birmingham Enterprise also manages the incubation services and facilities at the Birmingham Research Park.

About the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.

 

 

Feb 24
Love1
Birmingham Life Sciences Park artists impression.

Birmingham named one of just six new Life Sciences Opportunity Zones

By Uncategorized

The Birmingham Health Partners ecosystem – which will soon begin construction of Birmingham Life Sciences Park – has been awarded Life Sciences Opportunity Zone status by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

 

As one of only six sites in the country to receive this designation, Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) has been recognised by Government for its world-class research infrastructure which brings together academics from the University of Birmingham, clinicians from University Hospitals Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trusts, and industry. The panel were impressed by the partnership approach and BHP’s ambitious plans to catalyse growth within its established biomedical ecosystem, which already supports around 50 health and life science businesses, through the upcoming development of Birmingham Life Sciences Park (BLSP).

 

By working across BHP and in partnership with a major developer and regional stakeholders including West Midlands Combined Authority and Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, BLSP is set to deliver up to 3,000 jobs and generate more than £180m GVA[1] in the first ten years. With up to 750,000 sq. ft. available for health and life science businesses, BLSP will provide the ‘front door’ for industry to access BHP’s thriving ecosystem including the region’s large, diverse and stable 6m population – with wider regional impact assured through BHP’s close working relationship with the West Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network.

 

Through attaining Life Sciences Opportunity Zone status, BHP and BLSP will be critical in delivering key themes of the life sciences Industrial Strategy, including: improving UK clinical trials capability; supporting the growth of life science clusters; linking businesses directly to the NHS; and delivering data-enabled healthcare innovation.

 

Dr John Williams, Managing Director of BHP, commented: “With our expertise officially recognised by BEIS and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS), we can accelerate the growth of our renowned and respected cluster for translational medicine. BLSP will be a world-leading life sciences development, creating high quality facilities for innovative businesses who will benefit from collaborating with us. It will allow us to retain successful businesses currently in existing regional incubators as they grow, and, working with DIT, attract new inward investment to the region, enabling businesses to work with BHP’s academic and clinical leaders to develop and commercialise their ideas and translate them rapidly into the clinic.

 

“It is fantastic news for patients in our region and beyond, who will ultimately benefit from the novel drugs, diagnostics and devices which are already being developed across our campus.”

 

Nadhim Zahawi MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for BEIS, commented: “The UK is home to one of the strongest, most vibrant health and life science industries globally, with discoveries and improvements in health diagnosis transforming people’s lives.

 

“Collaboration is vital to growing this sector and this new £10million scheme will support the exchanging of ideas, knowledge and skills between researchers and businesses while encouraging strong collaboration with them, the NHS and the Government.”

 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Data-driven health and life sciences is a major market opportunity for the growth of our region’s economy and I am delighted the Government has recognised this and is supporting us with the designation of BLSP as a Life Sciences Opportunity Zone.

 

“The park, which is built around the leadership and excellence offered through BHP, has allowed us to create an environment where health and life science businesses can thrive and grow, linking in to the diverse skills, clinical excellence and knowledge base of the region.

 

“Government investment will help us create the ideal location and accommodation for health and life science businesses to co-locate at the heart of a vibrant health campus and within a region that is both the fastest growing and most entrepreneurial outside of the South East of England.

 

“We look forward to working with BHP and Government to make the most of this opportunity.”

 

The six Life Sciences Opportunity Zones will connect and collaborate to advance research in the health sciences and promote the UK’s expertise in this sector internationally. By harnessing this new designation and working closely with BEIS, OLS and DIT, BLSP will become a focus for inward investment in life sciences for the West Midlands region.

 

This news follows recent major announcements from BHP, including the agreement of a collaborative working partnership with the Association for the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and the establishment of two HDR-UK Health Data Research Hubs based within BHP member organisations.

 

Ends

 

For further information please contact:

 

Louise Stanley

Communications & Engagement Manager

Birmingham Health Partners

[email protected]

 

[1] Gross value added

Nov 25
Love1

Rapid test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia to be developed by University of Birmingham spinout

By Uncategorized

Research Park tenant and University of Birmingham spinout Linear Diagnostics Ltd is to develop a rapid test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea that can detect infection from a single sample, allowing diagnosis and treatment in a single patient visit.

 

Globally, more than 1 million STIs are contracted every day.1 The latest UK figures show a 5% increase in diagnoses between 2017 and 2018, due to a large increase in the number of diagnoses for gonorrhoea (26%; from 44,812 to 56,259) and chlamydia (6%; from 205,365 to 218,095).2

 

Rapid and appropriate antibiotic treatment is essential for both infections; chlamydia is largely asymptomatic and can cause infertility in women, and in gonorrhoea antimicrobial resistance has emerged to all previously used first line drugs – and the first strain resistant to dual therapy with ceftriaxone plus high-level azithromycin was isolated in England and Australia in 2018.3

 

Dr Matt Hicks, CTO and Founder of Linear Diagnostics Limited, said: “Point of care diagnosis means that sexual health clinics can deliver diagnosis and treatment in a single visit. It is critical to break the chain of person-to-person transmission, particularly as drug resistant strains are on the rise, and people who present for testing may not return to the clinic to collect test results and treatment.”

 

Linear Diagnostics was founded by researchers from the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, Professor Tim Dafforn and Dr Matt Hicks. The pair aimed to develop diagnostic devices based on patented technologies that use linear dichroism – which uses polarized light to detect the presence of molecules in solution.

 

The move into sexual health follows £2m funding to further develop the technique to identify key gene sequences in a sample.  The funders expect that the company’s technology will be able to detect multiple genetic targets from a single sample within a 15 minute timescale. Read the full details of the investment package.

 

ENDS

 

For further media information contact:  Ruth Ashton, Reputation & Communications Development Manager, [email protected], tel: 0121 414 9090, mob: 07989 558041.

 

Notes to editors:

  • The June 2019 WHO Bulletin (published online) reported over 127 million new cases of chlamydia in 2016, and 87 million of gonorrhoea1
  • In the same month, Public Health England reported a total of 447,694 diagnoses of STIs in 2018.  This represents an increase of 5% from from 2017 (424,724 diagnoses), due to a large increase in gonorrhoea and a more moderate increase in chlamydia infections

o   Although the largest proportional increase in gonorrhoea and chlamydia were in people 65 years and above (gonorrhoea – 42%; chlamydia – 24%), the highest infection rates are amongst the 15-24 year age group.2

 

About Linear Diagnostics Limited

Founded in 2011, Linear Diagnostics Limited exploits the phenomenon of linear dichroism (LD) for a number of uses, ranging from detection of antibiotic resistant infections, to testing for bacteria that cause rotting in food crops. LDL explores a novel platform technology that can be used for assays in a wide range of sectors.

 

About University of Birmingham Enterprise

University of Birmingham Enterprise supports academics who want to innovate, take their ideas to market, work with businesses and social enterprises, or enrich their professional lives by doing academic consultancy projects.  We do this by providing enterprise training, funding, office and laboratory space, and a full technology transfer service.   University of Birmingham Enterprise also manages the incubation services and facilities at the Birmingham Research Park.

 

About the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.

 

 

References

  1. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis: global prevalence and incidence estimates, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.228486
  2. Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England, Public Health England, 2018 Health Protection Report, Volume 13 Number 19, published 7 June 2019
  3. World Health Organization Global Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (WHO GASP): review of new data and evidence to inform international collaborative actions and research efforts, Sexual Health, doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/SH19023

 

 

 

Oct 17
Love1

Nonacus introduces ExomeCG product to simplify molecular and cytogenomics data generation and interpretation

By Uncategorized

New capture kit product will enable whole exome sequencing and targeted copy number analysis in a single assay

Nonacus Ltd, a UK based precision medicine company and manufacturer of ultra-sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS) products, has announced the launch of ExomeCG, a new product to simplify the generation and interpretation of molecular and cytogenomic data.

The new product has been co-developed with digital health technology company, Congenica Ltd, which specialises in software solutions that enable accelerated interpretation of complex genomic data to improve disease diagnosis.

ExomeCG is a clinically enhanced exome capture kit which, for the first time, will enable the genomics community to perform confident and robust whole exome sequencing and targeted copy number analysis in a single assay. The clinically validated test replaces the need for chromosomal microarray and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) front line tests, saving time and cost while achieving the highest diagnostic yield possible.

ExomeCG is designed to provide unparalleled coverage of clinical targets when used in combination with the Congenica® clinical decision support platform, which enables fast and accurate interpretation of NGS data for healthcare professionals to deliver world-class genomic medicine services and make important clinical decisions. Under the agreement Nonacus will supply the Congenica® software platform alongside the Exome CG product and the wider Nonacus Cell3 Target™ product range, to provide an end-to-end solution for postnatal and prenatal analysis.

Chris Sale, Chief Executive Officer of Nonacus, said: “The launch of ExomeCG enables us to deliver a comprehensive clinical bioinformatics service to our customers and advance clinical cytogenomics by providing a robust, cost effective and user-friendly laboratory and analysis workflow.The current cytogenomics paradigm typically requires a multi-test strategy whereby chromosomal microarrays are first run achieving a modest 15% diagnostic yield. Subsequently, exome sequencing is undertaken in order to raise the diagnostic yield to around 40%. ExomeCG now offers a validated single test solution, enabling customers to obtain the highest diagnostic yield while removing additional workflows and the associated time and costs.”

Sep 02
Love1

New antimicrobial coating could be key in fight against hospital-acquired infections

By Uncategorized

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have created an antimicrobial coating for steel surfaces which has proven to rapidly kill bacteria that cause some of the most common hospital-acquired infections.

Developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham, patented by University of Birmingham Enterprise, and to be commercialised by a new company NitroPep, the coating – also called NitroPep – has been heralded as a new tool in the fight against the spread of infection.

Working with the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the Royal Navy, the researchers conducted a clinical trial which saw NitroPep coated on steel surfaces – including door handles, an operating theatre and part of a communal toilet – on board a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship. Both the surfaces coated in NitroPep, and ‘control’ surfaces that were not treated with the coating, were subject to standard daily cleaning regimes while the ship was at sea for an 11 month period. The surfaces were swabbed on a weekly basis and the results were then analysed in the laboratory at the University of Birmingham. The results showed that the coating was effective against five different bacteria that are responsible for hospital-acquired infections – Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

The research also showed that the coating killed bacteria within 45 minutes – far more rapidly than currently commercially available technologies which do not have a significant effect on bacteria until up to 24 hours.

Published in Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials for Biological Applications, the research was carried out by scientists at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Chemistry; the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine; the University of Nottingham; and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham which is part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Felicity de Cogan, Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellow at the University of Birmingham and Chief Scientific Officer at NitroPep, said:  “One of the biggest public health issues across the world continues to be the spread of infection and contamination from bacterial, viral and insect-borne diseases. Despite increased sterilisation and education campaigns, hospital acquired infections have not been eradicated and the accumulation of bacteria on frequently touched surfaces is key in the transmission of infection. Therefore, our priority must be to research, develop and implement safe and effective prevention techniques and technologies. Our successful clinical study shows that our non-toxic coating could be used on regularly handled steel surfaces, such as toilet flush handles, bed rails and metal medical equipment, across healthcare, education and other industrial and leisure settings helping to create safer and healthier environments.”

Graeme Forster, Managing Director of NitroPep, said: “There is a clear and urgent need to prevent the transmission and spread of infection in the built environment, not just in the UK but globally. NitroPep is a novel, cost effective, and cutting-edge technology for bonding antimicrobial actives onto various surfaces which we believe is the future solution to a global problem.”

For more information please contact Emma McKinney, Communications Manager (Health Sciences), University of Birmingham, Email: [email protected] or tel: +44 (0) 121 414 6681, or contact the press office on +44 (0) 7789 921 165 or [email protected]

Aug 15
Love1

TRANSFER OF ASSETS

By Uncategorized

On 1st of August 2019 Birmingham Research Park Limited transferred its assets to University of Birmingham Enterprise Limited to become one entity.

The Research Park will continue to operate under the same brand, albeit under the amended name of University of Birmingham Enterprise Ltd T/A Birmingham Research Park.

University of Birmingham Enterprise Ltd is an existing subsidiary of the University of Birmingham which employs the Research Park staff.

The asset transfer included all the Leases, Licenses and Contracts pertaining to Birmingham Research Park – there will be no staffing changes as a result of the asset transfer.

If you wish to see a copy of the Notice of Assignments, which sets out the position in more formal detail, or if you have any other questions, please contact Angie Reynolds, Birmingham Research Park Manager, at [email protected].

 

 

Jul 19
Love1

The BizzInn spotlighted for help to brewing industry entrepreneurs

By Uncategorized

The National Centre for Universities & Business State of the Relationship annual report showcasing university-business collaboration across the UK, released this week has highlighted the BizzInn business incubator, run by University of Birmingham Enterprise, for its creative approach to helping two local entrepreneurs realise their ambition of reducing the amount of water needed to produce a pint of beer.

Beer is the third most popular drink in the world after water and tea.  But it can take up to five pints of water to make just one pint of beer, much of which is used to clean out brewing lines in between fermentations.

Entrepreneurs Max Swinbourne and Alex Smith designed a highly sensitive fluid sensor to detect when the brewing lines are clean.

They came to the BizzInn in 2017 with a prototype of this sensor, which could potentially help the global brewing industry save billions of gallons of water each year, and a request to help them find funding to develop their business idea further.

The BizzInn assisted their application for funding, and also arranged a mini-laboratory apprenticeship at University of Birmingham Enterprise’s other incubator, the BioHub Birmingham, which enabled them to test and perfect their prototype to the point where they could gain interest from investors.

The pair set up a company, 4T2 Sensors, which by early last year had built its own laboratory, and attracted substantial international investment and gained interest from the global brewing industry.

Max Swinbourne commented: “The most forward thinking breweries had been looking at ways to reduce water usage for several years, so we knew there was a market before we came to the BizzInn, and we wanted to develop our product quickly.  The BizzInn took us from idea to prototype to launch in a very short space of time.”

Dr James Wilkie, CEO of University of Birmingham Enterprise, commented: “Our incubators provide significant benefit to hi-tech entrepreneurs, particularly those with disruptive ideas, or who are entering complex markets where products need to be tested or validated.  We’ve been delighted to hear of the 4T2’s successes following their residency with us.”

The State of the Relationship report is the NCUB’s annual temperature test of university-business collaboration by using ideas to simplify the innovation ecosystem, undertaking knowledge exchange of unusual topics or bringing value to a particular place or sector.

 

ENDS

 

For further media information or photographs, contact Ruth Ashton, University of Birmingham Enterprise

E: [email protected]

T: +44 121 414 9090

 

About University of Birmingham Enterprise

University of Birmingham Enterprise manages the incubation services and facilities at the Birmingham Research Park, including the BioHub Birmingham® and the BizzInn, as well as working with the University’s innovative academics, and providing enterprise training.

 

About the State of the Relationship report

The 2019 report is the 6th edition of the State of the Relationship and is entitled Changemakers: Building the future through partnership. Download a copy of the report.

 

About 4T2 Sensors

4T2 is an enterprise applying a highly innovative and novel approach to sensors that has a promising and bright future. Partnering with industrial and academic leaders, we are applying revolutionary electronic and mathematical solutions to explore the boundaries of sensing technology and provide answers to previously unanswerable questions.