Scientists have an eye for fighting microbes
ATRAILBLAZING biotech firm based in Runcorn has invented and developed a microbe-busting bandage lens it hopes will revolutionise how patients recover from eye infections.
Scientists at SpheriTech created the product using a cast made by a precision engineer from Heath Business And Technical Park’s owners SOG.
The bandage lens is reported to be playing a key role in a medical trial.
A Heath Business Park spokesman said the Medical Research Council has awarded a £767,633 grant to fund the joint research programme, which is being conducted through a collaboration of SpheriTech, The University Of Liverpool and Royal Liverpool And Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust. ●
He said SOG’s precision engineering department played a critical role by creating the moulds for casting the lenses.
Don Wellings, SpheriTech managing director and inventor of the antimicrobial corneal bandage lens, said the groundbreaking research revolves around the commercial production of an innovative corneal bandage which has been developed by one of his scientists, Dr Andy Gallagher.
The Heath spokesman said this is a breakthrough in cornea treatments, and that Dr Gallagher has produced the first ever antimicrobial corneal bandage lens of this type.
Measuring around 22mm, the corneal bandage is around twice the size of a standard contact lens and covers the front of the eye.
The spokesman added that the patent-protected technology will be licensed to Liverpool University, which has agreed to commercialise the lenses. Trials are due to be completed by October 2020.
Dr Wellings said: “We needed to find a way of mass producing these very tiny and delicate corneal bandages and Andy Baugh, SOG’s precision engineer, has made the moulds for the lenses.
“It’s an excellent example of how SOG, our landlords, not only provide laboratory space to scientific businesses but can also offer practical help through the very specialised scientific support services they offer.”
SpheriTech is also conducting research on other pioneering programmes including revolutionising the way physicians repair joints, with a particular focus on repair of hip lesions through regenerative medicine.
And the firm is developing polymers for bone repair and spinal cord repair as well as developing artificial blood.