Versarien Plc (LON:VRS) subsidiary 2-DTech is involved in a new project to develop a new generation of medical technologies, using graphene.
The project is funded by the UK government’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and it aims to explore how graphene can improve treatment of diseases including cancer, diabetes and dementia.
The EPSRC is providing £5.2mln of funding over five years.
In that time 2-DTech expects to work with four major healthcare multinationals as well as the labs at the University of Manchester.
The project, referred to as 2D-Health, is one of four major research grants awarded as part of the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies scheme which aims to develop the next generation of technology to address health issues of the UK’s ageing population.
Neil Ricketts, Versarien chief executive, said: "We are very pleased to be participating in our first graphene project in the biomedical area.
“Whilst the use of graphene in biomedical applications is at an early stage, the potential to create truly life changing products is enormous.
“This is another example of us working closely with the University of Manchester and the significant funding being provided by the EPSRC demonstrates the importance they attach to the potential of graphene.
“Whilst we remain focussed on core technologies and applications for graphene, particularly carbon fibre, we will continue to take advantage of funded longer term opportunities."