MetalloBio and The University of Sheffield are Awarded Higher Education Impact Funding to Develop Antimicrobial Materials
MetalloBio and The University of Sheffield have secured £27,087 Higher Education Impact Funding, HEIF, to develop novel antimicrobial materials. The materials can be used in medical and non-medical applications. The team at MetalloBio will work closely with Dr Frederik Claeyssens and Dr Colin Sherborne in The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The University of Sheffield.
The funds will be used to develop a hard lacquer coating and commercial latexes which incorporate MetalloBio’s lead antimicrobial additives. The company is seeking to attract further investment, funding and/or partnerships to develop the materials.
Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, MetalloBio is focussing on the development of a novel antimicrobial platform technology to treat and prevent pathogenic, multi-drug resistant, Gram-negative bacterial infections. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat. Currently AMR is responsible for 700,000 annual fatalities, it is predicted by 2050 this could rise to 10 million deaths per year costing a £66 trillion loss to the global economy.
In this project MetalloBio will be exploring the development of the technology as a materials additive and coating. The technology can be applied to non-medical applications such as food packagings, textiles, plastics and paints. Additionally, the technology can be applied as a coating on medical devices to prevent biofilm formation on catheters, stents, endotracheal tubes and prosthetic limbs.
Kirsty Smitten, CEO of MetalloBio, said: “We have worked with Fred and Colin previously on proof-of-concept work underpinning this project. The data generated to date is very exciting and we expect to see more promising data arise from this project. The HEIF funding will facilitate a new R&D partnership between MetalloBio and The University of Sheffield and provide data to secure further funding and facilitate future partnerships to further develop the technology.”
For further information contact:
MetalloBio Limited
Kirsty Smitten
email: kirsty.smitten@metallobio.com