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MESA+ Nanolab partially reopened for urgent development activities

In response to the corona crisis, the MESA+ NanoLab has been closed for development and research since 15 March. The same also applies for other buildings on campus, though several exceptions have now been made. The NanoLab, for instance, is home to a limited number of development activities that, due to their urgent nature, will be continued.

Three companies (Lionix, MedSpray and Micronit) are currently hard at work in the NanoLab, where they are developing devices that can be used to detect and help treat the coronavirus. To do so, they need access to the facilities in the NanoLab. In consultation with the faculties and with safety as our primary concern, MESA+ is constantly evaluating which activities can still take place in the NanoLab.

Lionix

Testing equipment is needed to detect the COVID-19 virus itself and to detect immunological biomarkers in the blood; rapid diagnostics that can be used to detect cases, monitor the clinical picture in patients and establishing immunity. Lionix devices are suitable to detect viruses in a ‘swab’ sample, as is common nowadays, and to analyse the course of the infection and immunity for the virus based on blood-borne biomarkers. Similar photonic devices, though with less sensitive biochips, are known to be able to detect viruses. Read more about Lionix.

MedSpray

Medspray is developing a device that can be combined with an inhaler or a ventilator to administer medication to a patient, which will also see the responsibility for administering medication shift from the supplier to the specialist. This technology has already been put into practice in collaboration with the Radboud hospital and, if proven effective, will be rolled out further.

Micronit

Micronit produces microfluidic products that make a crucial contribution to identifying the virus. Though they operate their own cleanroom, several process steps take place in the MESA+ Nanolab. Micronit initiated the Viralert Foundation, partnering up with businesses and knowledge institutions to develop tests for corona immunity. Read more about Micronit.

Research groups

Several research groups have now also come up with new corona and corona immunity tests and require access to the NanoLab for the development process. We are looking into ways in which the university and the NanoLab can support these developments without compromising on safety. For questions, please contact Gerard Roelofs, head of MESA + NanoLab. Read more about Micronit.

Source article: MESA+ news

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1.5 million for infection control for UTwente spinoff Lipocoat

LipoCoat, a biotech spin-off from the University of Twente has received additional funding of 1.5 million euros from several investors. The funding comes from Dutch informal investors, the High Tech Fund from Enschede and Innovation Fund Rabobank. The additional funding allows LipoCoat to bring innovations in infection control to market faster, the importance of which is all too clear in these times of coronavirus.

Improvement in medical device safety

LipoCoat specializes in developing infection control solutions for the healthcare industry, in particular for medical devices. The company is currently conducting seven research projects, mainly for multinationals that want to increase the safety of their medical devices. LipoCoat’s unique bio-inspired and non-toxic coatings protect against bacteria, viruses and infections.

The investment will be used to bring innovations in infection control to market faster. The High Tech Fund has committed 600.000 euros for equipment and supplies in LipoCoat’s brand new lab. The spin-off started in 2016 in one of the University of Twente’s labs, but has since outgrown itself. In late April, LipoCoat will open its very own lab at Kennispark Twente.

Contact lenses as the first application

Launching innovations for medical devices and the healthcare industry is time-consuming. “That is why LipoCoat focuses on product-market combinations with a fast rollout, such as the contact lens market,” said Jasper van Weerd, Founder and CEO of LipoCoat. The first contact lenses with the LipoCoat coating are in the medical approval process, with the product expected to be launched in Fall 2020. In a few years’ time, LipoCoat expects the first coated catheters to enter market. Catheter infections worldwide cause great suffering and patient discomfort. In addition, such infections increase healthcare costs by tens of billions of euros annually.

Drug development

LipoCoat is also developing a coating that can be used for the screening and testing of new medicines that involve cell culture systems. These systems are usually sensitive to pollution. When cell culture systems are contaminated, the testing of new medicines becomes unreliable. The LipoCoat coating increases the efficiency of drug screening and testing, resulting in cost reduction and better results. The solution will become available as a kit and is expected to enter market in the summer of 2020.

Improving the quality and safety of healthcare

LipoCoat’s mission is to improve the quality and safety of healthcare, which is very relevant in these times of coronavirus. In 2020, the first products will enter the market. At the same time, the LipoCoat team will continue innovating within the catheter domain. To make the leap to further growth, a Series B funding round of € 5 million is planned for mid-2021. With this investment round, the company wants to build its revenue streams, increase its development and production capacity, and expand its international footprint by gaining access to US and Asian markets.

More information: www.lipocoat.com

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