A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Cardiff University and GAMA Healthcare has received an ‘outstanding’ grade by Innovate UK.
“[The KTP] is embedding capability that enables us to continue to produce innovative products and remain a UK market leader.”
GAMA Director
GAMA Healthcare is a leading antibacterial product manufacturer and one of the largest suppliers of anti-bacterial wet wipes both in the UK and across the world. The company worked with Professor Jean-Yves Maillard, Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to enhance its products, create data demonstrating their efficacy and lay the foundation for an in-house R&D facility.
Through the KTP, GAMA strengthened key areas of the business in its research and development capability, enabling the company to remain at the forefront of innovation and sustain product development. It also gained knowledge in efficacy testing methodologies and how to conduct and run a clinical trial, training staff across multiple departments to embed this new capability. The company can now also offer scientific advice and support to existing customers as an additional service, further setting them apart from competitors.
Guy Braverman, Director and Co-Founder of GAMA Healthcare said:
“We received great support from Cardiff University, enhancing our knowledge throughout the development of this research area but also practically, embedding capability that enables us to continue to produce innovative products and remain a UK market leader.
“Working with Cardiff University has enabled us to be an integral part of innovative research. We have developed a really strong working relationship with Professor Maillard and we are now planning ways to continue working together.”
For Professor Jean-Yves Maillard the KTP emphasises the importance of translational research for both his research group and the University.
“Interaction with industry is crucial to optimise research application ‘in the real word’ and create impactful innovation – here, ensuring the product used as part of an infection control regimen in healthcare settings can make a difference and help infection control against troublesome pathogens.”
“The opportunity to translate research into practice really shows the capacity for KTP to make a difference. Gaining the experience to design and run a field trial of this magnitude has been valuable and will further establish our international reputation of being at the forefront of infection control, particularly in the use of antimicrobial wipe products. We were really pleased that the success of the collaboration was recognised by Innovate UK and will build on this achievement with additional collaboration.”
Continuing Partnership
GAMA has recently been awarded a grant for a second KTP project with Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences which will focus on developing and launching anti-biofilm products.
“Cardiff University will benefit from a research standpoint, in the development of new teaching materials, engagement with the business community and research impact.”
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that attach to surfaces and they create additional challenges for infection control. Biofilms must be controlled in healthcare settings in order to reduce infection. Using the knowledge, technology and expertise that exists in Cardiff University, GAMA will learn how to test existing products’ efficiency against biofilm whilst developing effective product formulations to eliminate and control.
This is an innovative opportunity to develop products that will satisfy regulators’ demands as well as meeting customers’ requirements, ensuring that GAMA retain their UK market leader claim and future as an innovative leader.
Cardiff University will benefit from a research standpoint, in the development of new teaching materials, engagement with the business community and research impact.
Cardiff has a dedicated KTP Office providing advice, guidance and support to project team members, from inception to completion of each project. For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, please contact the team at ktp@cardiff.ac.uk or visit the Cardiff KTP Website.
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