Haydale finalist for The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards for MicroRNA Sensor

MicroRNA sensor for kidney transplant patients

Haydale (AIM: HAYD), the global technology solutions company, is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted for The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate Awards (C2I) for its work with the Wales Kidney Research Unit (“WKRU”) at Cardiff University on a microRNA sensor for kidney transplant patients.

The collaborative team including Haydale, WKRU, Cardiff University Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University School of Chemistry, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and University Hospital of Wales are one of six finalists in the Healthcare and Medical Category for The Engineer’s seventh annual C2I Awards.

Already a winner of the Kidney Research UK MedTech Competition, the urinary electrochemical microRNA sensor has the potential to replace slower and more costly PCR-based methods for the rapid detection of problems with newly transplanted kidneys. The sensor uses Haydale’s biomedical functionalised graphene ink to accelerate detection without the need for an invasive biopsy.

This nomination will support the commercial progress that Haydale is making with its biosensor inks, which have been focused on diabetes monitoring and management. It is anticipated that this will be expanded to wider diagnostics as the technology is adopted.

Keith Broadbent, Haydale’s CEO, said he was delighted the team’s hard work had been recognised, commenting: “This is further recognition of our work in healthcare. Our collaboration has helped to accelerate the provision of cutting-edge technological solutions to improve people’s life experience. Using functionalised graphene reduces sensor production time and variability and accelerates translation to improve patient outcomes.”

Dr Tim Bowen, Reader in Matrix and Molecular Biology at Wales Kidney Research Unit, added: “The team are delighted to be finalists for the C2I awards. Transplants are life-changing, but when they fail the consequences can be devastating. This urinary electrochemical microRNA sensor technology could help identify problems earlier, leading to more timely clinical interventions.”

The very best in UK collaborations and innovations in engineering will come together in London on Thursday 23 February 2023 for the C2I winners’ party.