“Outstanding”, the verdict on the Uni’s KTP project with Paxman
Fri, 15 May 2015 13:57:00 BST
The Government’s Technology Strategy Board award the highest award to the Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University and scalp cooling company Paxman
THE Government-backed Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has awarded a coveted “Outstanding” grade to a University of Huddersfield project that is helping to improve the quality of life for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Scientists in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University have formed a highly-productive partnership with the Huddersfield-based firm Paxman, a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of special cooling caps that can prevent hair loss in a high proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy.
Central to the relationship has been a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), which received funding from the TSB. It was headed by experienced cancer researcher Dr Nikolaos Georgopoulos, with molecular biologist Dr Andrew Collett. The KTP Associate was postgraduate researcher Omar Hussain – who has now moved on to PhD research in scalp cooling. He was based at Paxman’s Huddersfield headquarters during the two-year project and now the firm is funding his doctoral studies.
Top grade of ‘Outstanding’
Dr Andrew Collett (left) and Dr Nik Georgopoulos (centre) are pictured receiving the Award for Early Stage Collaboration for their work with Paxman from the University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan (right).
The aim of the KTP was to establish the scientific basis for scalp cooling as a means of preventing hair loss. The researchers have achieved this and have also explored key issues such as the effectiveness of cooling when different combinations of drugs are used during chemotherapy.
Dr Georgopoulos, Dr Collett, Omar Hussain (pictured right) and their collaborators have published scientific papers and made presentations at major international conferences. These scholarly outputs, alongside the practical benefits to the Paxman firm, were among the factors that impressed the team of independent assessors who appraised the KTP.
Now the TSB has issued its verdict, awarding its top grade of ‘Outstanding’. Extra kudos comes from the fact that the scalp cooling project is to be added to a shortlist from which KTP case studies will be developed.
Dr Georgopoulos and his colleagues are delighted by the mark of distinction awarded to the Paxman collaboration, and so is Susan Lipthorpe, Business Development Manager for the School of Applied Sciences.
“This was one of the best KTPs we have had,” she said, “benefiting all of the parties involved, both the University and the business. There has been a good outcome for Paxman, and our academics have earned plenty of scientific publications.”
