Huddersfield firm Paxman Scalp Cooling’s two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has earned an Outstanding grade from UK Research and Innovation, the highest possible rating, marking the success of the collaborative research efforts with the University of Huddersfield.
Paxman has collaborated with the University of Huddersfield on numerous projects since 2012, including the design and development of the world’s first portable medical cryocompression device, the Paxman Limb Cryocompression System (PLCS). The device is intended to reduce the severity of peripheral neuropathy, a side-effect of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) manifests itself as deficits in sensory, motor, and/or autonomic functions which can not only be painful but debilitating to a patient’s quality of life. The side effect is experienced by 30 to 40 per cent of patients receiving chemotherapy and can limit the doses during treatment.
Research has shown that cooling the limbs could reduce discomfort for patients undergoing chemotherapy, however, ice packs and frozen gloves are not reliable methods. The PLCS, developed in partnership with the University of Huddersfield, will deliver consistent cooling and help to improve tolerability for patients.
Paxman has held multiple Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with the University of Huddersfield since 2012. As part of the long-standing collaborations with the University, the Paxman Scalp Cooling Research and Innovation Centre was founded; a dedicated centre for research into the biology of scalp cooling and harnessing the latest manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and rapid tooling.
Paxman’s CEO, Richard Paxman, commented, “During the past several years, our collaborative work with the University of Huddersfield has had a significant impact on our business and ultimately, the patients benefitting from treatment to alleviate chemotherapy-induced alopecia and in the future chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
“The most recent development in the area of CIPN has been a collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and their affiliated cancer centre. We are currently conducting ongoing clinical trials in both the USA and Singapore.”
The two separate clinical trials have shown promising results, with one of the trials scheduled for completion in 2024. A combined number of over 800 patients are planned to participate in the trials.
This is the third KTP to have been graded outstanding by Innovate UK.