Jeremy Miles, Wales’ economy secretary, has today announced that £900,000 will be ringfenced for five projects that are expected to deliver real-life medical benefits through the harnessing of cutting edge life sciences technology.
The funding is part of Wales’ ongoing efforts to catalyse future healthcare developments through innovation today.
The five projects include a programme of research from Bridgend-based Zoobiotic Limited that is looking into how larval secretions can speed up the removal of dead or infected skin tissue to help wounds heal.
Similarly, Swansea’s Corryn Biotechnologies is working on a handheld medical device which can deposit a layer of microscopic polymer fibres over wounds, ultimately creating a dressing using ‘electrospinning’ technology.
Funding will also be directed toward an Immunoserv project in Cardiff that is vying to create a world-first, clinically validated diagnostic blood test for multiple sclerosis (MS). This comes on world MS day and will explore T-Cell tests, which are used in diagnostics and precision medicine.
The initiatives are part of the SMART Flexible Innovation Support (FIS) programme which was launched last summer to help local Welsh organisation achieve ‘innovation excellence’.
Arcitebio Ltd in Aberystwyth is another organisation who will benefit from the £900,000 of investment, as it has developed a low-cost diabetic and tooth-friendly natural sweetener using a biotechnological solution to produce xylitol from biomass.
Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale’s Copner Biotech is hoping to take advantage of bioprinting technology to produce organ replacements.
“We want to build a stronger and fairer nation with an economy based on fair work, sustainability and sectors of the future – this support programme [SMART FIS] provides a strong footing for this ambition,” explained Jeremy Miles, Wales’ cabinet secretary for economy, energy and Welsh language.
The SMART FIS programme is not restricted to just businesses and research institutions – any organisation wishing to engage in research, development and innovation including the third sector, local authorities and health boards is welcome.
Participation in the programme could mean different things to different organisations. For example:
- New organisations could access technology to get their ideas up and running
- Developing organisations could get help with projects that have potential
- Established organisations could get specialist know-how to give themselves an international advantage by opening up new markets
Jeremy added: “As can be seen with these inspiring projects, Welsh companies are developing world-changing ideas which could ultimately save people’s lives. Any kind of organisation is welcome to apply for this support – please do see if yours could benefit too.”
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