Medtech firm receives £2m loan for anti-COVID-19 plasma tech

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has advanced a £2 million loan to Creo Medical to develop its cool plasma technology, which it hopes will help fight COVID-19.

Creo’s has developed its cool plasma technology, has been shown to kill bacteria 99.99% of tough bacteria such as MRSA, E. coli and C. difficile. Initial testing has shown it to be effective in inactivating the COVID-19 virus.

The company believes it could be useful in decontaminating and sterilising medical equipment, such as PPE and ventilators, and cleaning and sterilising hospital wards, ambulances, and other enclosed spaces, as well as for sterilising wounds.

Besides its short-term use against COVID-19, Creo Medical’s cool plasma technology has long-term applications in anti-bacterial and anti-virus disinfection.

Prof Chris Hancock, chief technology officer of Creo Medical, said: “Creo’s very early projects focused on cold plasma for hand sanitisation and so I’m delighted that we are able to advance this technology which has a variety of applications.

“The current pandemic has highlighted the need to focus on technology that can limit the spread of coronavirus and I am excited that we have support from the Cardiff Capital Region to commercialise our patented technology as part of our COVID-19 response.

“The backing of the Cardiff Capital Region provides us with the opportunity to further leverage the infrastructure in Wales and the network of support being provided for innovative businesses like Creo.”

The loan is part of CCR’s response to the global emergency caused by the Coronavirus.

Peter Fox, leader of Monmouthshire County Council and vice chair of Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet, said: “Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet is delighted to support Creo Medical in developing their Cool Plasma technology. This tremendous innovation in sterilisation couldn’t have come forward at a better time and this new technology will be a game changer in killing bacteria and viruses and has already proved that it can be effective against COVID-19.

“The medtech industry is a key area of development and opportunity for the Cardiff Capital Region. It is fantastic we have Creo in our midst – a leading light in medical science. Providing this loan ensures this crucial technology can be developed at speed.”