Bug battling firm Byotrol relocates R&D to STFC Daresbury Laboratory's Innovations Technology Access Centre

The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) pioneering Innovations Technology Access Centre at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (SIC) has become the new R&D home of ‘bug battling’ firm Byotrol.

Manchester-based firm Byotrol is the first long-term tenant at the new STFC Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) following the recent relocation of their principle microbiology R&D operations from Erlangen in Germany to the North West.

I-TAC offers flexible and affordable access to £3m of cutting-edge scientific equipment in 16 fully-equipped biological, imaging, materials and physical science laboratories. Businesses can make full use of the wide range of facilities available at the Centre including leasing their own exclusive-use, ‘lock and leave’ laboratories. Companies not located at the Centre are also able to access a number of multi-user laboratories that are available on an hourly basis.

A presence in the Centre puts companies at the heart of the rapidly growing Daresbury SIC network, which, in addition to providing specialist support from STFC’s own highly skilled scientists, enables companies to tap into the knowledge base of the leading North West academic institutions. This high-tech community also allows access to the facilities, business support services and collaborative research and development opportunities of the nearby Daresbury Innovation Centre.

Byotrol has developed a patented, next generation hygiene technology which is described by leading experts as having the characteristics of the ideal biocide. Its technology is used in sprays, mousses and wipes to combat bugs and viruses. Tests and trials have shown that it has long-lasting, anti microbial control in a much safer and more caring way than traditional bleaches, disinfectants and biocides which can be damaging and toxic to people and animals.

Byotrol will be using the laboratories and high-tech equipment available at I-TAC to develop specific versions of the technology for the healthcare, food production, animal welfare and consumer markets. They will also work to develop the next generation of the technology and on new applications for Byotrol across a broader range of markets requiring safe and long lasting microbial control.

Stephen Falder, Byotrol's founder and Deputy Chairman commented: “We are pleased to have centred our R&D base at the Innovations Technology Access Centre. Moving to the laboratory at Daresbury has given access to a wide range of equipment and specialists as well as putting us into a number of innovation networks and fostering the working in partnership with experts at STFC. All of this is aimed at achieving our goal of increasing our capacity to find a whole range of new and valuable uses for the technology.’’

Chief Executive of STFC Keith Mason added: “This is fantastic news for the new Centre. Byotrol is a growing and very innovative company and I am delighted to be able to work with them. The Innovations Technology Access Centre aims to make it easier for firms to carry out the research which is much needed to enable them to thrive in a competitive and increasingly global business environment. I hope by working alongside STFC’s scientists, academic and other companies based at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Byotrol are able to really make their mark with their revolutionary technology.”

Businesses interested in finding out more about the Innovations Technology Access Centre can contact Paul Vernon at the Science and Technology Facilities Council on +44 (0)1925 603822.

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Notes for editors

Byotrol’s Deputy Chairman and founder Stephen Falder is available for interview on request. Please contact Alison Patterson at Byotrol using the details below.

Images and captions

• Image 1: From left to right: I-TAC Manager Martin Morlidge, Byotrol, Byotrol scientist Chris Plummer, Byotrol founder Stephen Falder, Byotrol scientist Rachel O’Connor and STFC Innovations Ltd’s Head of New Business Opportunities Paul Vernon.
  
  
• Image 2: Byotrol founder Stephen Falder and STFC Innovations Ltd’s Head of New Business Opportunities Paul Vernon in Byotrol’s new R&D laboratory in the I-TAC.

Contacts

• Karen Coles
  Press Officer
  STFC Daresbury Laboratory
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603232
  Mobile: +44 (0)7919 548012
  
  
• Paul Vernon
  Head of New Business Opportunities
  STFC Innovations Ltd
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603822
  
  
• Alison Patterson
  Byotrol
  Tel: +44 (0)161 277 9518

Byotrol

Byotrol (link opens in a new window) is a UK based company located in Manchester in the north of England. Formed in 2005 the company’s purpose is to use the Byotrol technology to create easier, cleaner and safer lives for everyone. Our ambition is for Byotrol to become the world leaders in the provision of powerful, safe, residual action, anti microbial technology. In doing so we hope to become the Intel of the hygiene world.

Byotrol has created a global first in the world of hygiene; an alcohol-free hand wash that is more effective than the current NHS standard alcohol cleaner and is also Halal certified.

Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus

In 2006 the Government announced two locations, Daresbury and Harwell, as campuses for the focus of government science research and innovation investment as a key part of its 10 year UK Science and Innovation Investment Framework.

Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (link opens in a new window) (Daresbury SIC) was formally opened in September 2006 by Lord Sainsbury, the then Science and Innovation Minister.

Daresbury SIC is an internationally recognised location for high-tech businesses and leading-edge science. It represents a fundamentally new approach to driving UK competitiveness in global science and innovation. Daresbury SIC was formed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Lancaster University, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and Halton Borough Council.

About STFC