Start-up company Codikoat which has developed a groundbreaking technology that kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces within seconds is the first company to take laboratory space at The EpiCentre at Haverhill Research Park.
CodiKoat technology can coat any surface be it hard or soft, rough or smooth, curved or flat using an antiviral adhesive film. This new and patented technology can also be easily integrated into the manufacturing process of door handles, doctors’ gowns, bank notes, lift buttons, keyboards and virtually any product and surface commonly exposed to viruses and bacteria.
The company was founded by three ex-students of Cambridge, Imperial and UCL and who each completed their PhDs in relevant fields. Co-founder Matin Mohseni said: “This is a timely technology that can save lives. It can be used both quickly and cheaply within the healthcare sector, hospitality industry and public transport dramatically helping to stop the transfer of viruses and bacteria both during the Covid-19 pandemic but also thereafter.
“The EpiCentre’s laboratory facilities that we are using are to Bio-Safety Level 2 which is suitable for the testing we are doing on our products. Another advantage of the EpiCentre is the synergies that a multi-occupied building can provide as well as the innovation services Oxford Innovation provides including business planning advice, coaching and mentoring,” added Mohseni.
To develop these products, Codikoat has won a total of £325k grant from Innovate U.K. and is collaborating with BDK and Hardshell which are one of the leading manufacturers of adhesive materials and facemasks in the UK.
Gareth Scargill, commercial director at Oxford Innovation, said “Codikoat is part of the Cambridge Accelerator Programme and we are seeing the ripple effect from Cambridge make Haverhill a viable location. Our shared labs come fully kitted out with specialist equipment, perfect for tissue culturing, microbiology research and more. And with a write-up area and waste management, you’ll have everything you need,” Scargill adds.
The EpiCentre has over 60 office suites available from 17sqm (172 sqft) up to 78sqm (840sqft) including three flexible shared purpose-built laboratory spaces with access to specialist equipment, together with conference and meetings rooms, training facilities and a ‘work-hub’ area for shared working.
These suites are available for pre-let immediately, and are supplemented by communal breakout spaces, a café, and meeting and conference rooms.
