New Healthcare Graphene Project

RNS Number : 5664N

Versarien PLC

27 October 2016

 

27 October 2016

Versarien plc

New Healthcare Graphene Project

Versarien plc (AIM:VRS) ("Versarien" or the "Company"), the advanced materials group, is pleased to announce the participation of the Company's subsidiary, 2-DTech Ltd, in a new project funded by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).

The project "2D Materials for Next Generation Healthcare Technologies" (2D-Health) aims to further explore how graphene can improve major health challenges, such as cancer, diabetes and dementia, utilising £5.2m of funding from the EPSRC over the next 5 years.  Partners in the project, in addition to 2-DTech, include four major healthcare multinationals and laboratories from across the University of Manchester, spanning physics, chemistry, pharmacy and medicine research.

2D-Health is one of four major research grants awarded as part of the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies scheme, that will develop new technologies to address the health issues of an aging UK population.  2D-Health will aim to utilise the unique properties offered by graphene to develop innovative solutions for specific unmet clinical needs, particularly in wound care and management (relevant to diabetes), tissue rehabilitation by electrical stimulation (relevant to dementia), cell therapeutics (relevant to cardiovascular disease), and immunotherapeutics (relevant to cancer).

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, commented:  "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."

For further information please contact:

Versarien plc	www.versarien.com
Neill Ricketts - Chief Executive Officer	[phone]
Chris Leigh - Chief Financial Officer
WH Ireland (Nominated Adviser)	www.wh-ireland.co.uk
Mike Coe / Ed Allsopp	[phone]
IFC Advisory (Financial PR and IR)	www.investor-focus.co.uk
Tim Metcalfe / Graham Herring / Heather Armstrong / Miles Nolan	[phone]

Notes to Editors:

About Versarien

Versarien plc (AIM:VRS), is an advanced materials group. Leveraging proprietary technology, the Group creates innovative engineering solutions for its clients in a diverse range of industries. Versarien has three subsidiaries:

Versarien Technologies Ltd owns the exclusive rights to a patent-protected additive process for creating advanced micro-porous metals targeting the thermal management industry and manufactures extruded aluminium heat sinks for the electronics and computing industries. www.versarien-technologies.co.uk 

Versarien Advanced Composites Ltd has been established in order to progress the commercial application of graphene-enhanced composite products.

Total Carbide Ltd, a leading manufacturer in sintered tungsten carbide for applications in arduous environments such as the oil and gas industry. www.totalcarbide.com 

2-DTech Ltd., which specialises in the supply, characterisation and early stage development of graphene products.   www.2-dtech.com

AAC Cyroma Ltd., a specialist plastics manufacturing business serving a range of sectors including automotive and fast moving consumer goods, that provides an ability to produce graphene enhanced products.   www.aaccyroma.co.uk 

 

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