Versarien's 2-DTech to explore how graphene can improve cancer, diabetes

AIM-listed advanced materials company Versarien’s subsidiary 2-DTech, which specialises in graphene production, is to participate in a £5.2m project to explore how graphene can improve major health problems, its first project in the biomedical area.

The five-year project, which is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is to find out how graphene can help overcome health challenges such as cancer, diabetes and dementia.

The ‘2D Materials for Next Generation Healthcare Technologies’ project will utilise graphene properties to develop solutions for specific unmet clinical needs, particularly in wound care and management, tissue rehabilitation by electrical stimulation, cell therapeutics, and immunotherapeutics.

2-DTech, which was spun out of the University of Manchester, will be joined by laboratories from the university spanning physics, chemistry, pharmacy and medicine, in addition to four healthcare multinationals in the project.

The project is one of four major research grants awarded as part of the EPSRC healthcare technologies scheme, to develop new technologies to address the health issues arising from an aging population.

Neill Ricketts, chief executive of Versarien, said while the use of graphene in biomedical applications is at an early stage, the potential to create 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."

Shares in Versarien were down 3.66% to 11.20p at 1055 BST.