Public Funding for Nanoflex Limited

This project is a collaboration between NanoFlex Ltd and the 5D Health Protection Group Ltd. The research and development collaboration will develop and prove the feasibility and relevance of the sensor data generated in the context of managing wounds. It is believed that with the appropriate information of those suffering from chronic wounds individuals can be cared for more effectively bringing benefits to the patient in terms of greater comfort and more rapid recovery and to the health service in terms of reduced burden on community care and in terms of direct and indirect costs due to biofilms. Once the _in vitro_ relevance has been established it will significantly de-risk the approach and it is believed this will enable the technology to be rolled out as a commercial product either through joint ventures with existing companies in this space or through the raising of venture finance. Presently such technologies do not exist in the market so this innovation will create a smart detection and responsive innovative antibiofilm technology for the treatment of biofilms in non-healing wounds.

Medilink are vastly experienced in the area of wound care, wound healing and models of wound healing. Medilink are also experts in competitor and technology landscaping and are best placed to do a review of the key analytes that might be of value for monitoring wound healing progression and directing targeted treatments in the long term. This information would guide the development and testing of sensors for these applications and the basis of any business case for sensor development.

This project seeks to address the cost effective and reproducible manufacture of high performance electrochemical sensor devices. NanoFlex have brought to market the first commercial nanoelectrode for academic and blue-chip researchers. Through this project NanoFlex seek to develop their current nanoelectrode technology up the value chain, integrating it into high-value sensor system solutions, for health-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, nuclear decommissioning and energy storage. An integrated sensor system will offer a enhancements in performance characteristics and hence enable electrochemical applications solutions that are not currently addressable using existing electrodes or sensor systems. Our approach to sensor systems is innovative in that it offers a relatively simple and highly scalable method of manufacture utilising established thin film techniques in a radical and efficient manner. Our enabling technology is patent protected. TSB investment in this project will ensure that this innovative technology and approach to manufacture continues to be developed within the UK to maximise its value and enable it to provide high value manufacturing opportunities.