Facing COVID-19: The NETPark collective using scientific expertise to fight the virus

Four businesses in County Durham’s North East Technology Park (NetPARK) have joined the battle against COVID-19.

REPROCELL Europe, Graphene Composites, Stream Bio and Kromek, all based at the science and technology park in Sedgefield, have pivoted to focus on the fight against the global outbreak.

The firms aim to use their technical and scientific knowledge in their respective fields to reduce the spread of coronavirus through a range of methods.

REPROCELL Europe, which specialises in tools and products for stem cell and 3D cell culture research, has joined a consortium with partners in North America and Europe to develop a vaccine for the virus.

Nano-technology manufacturer Graphene Composites has developed a graphene ink that can be applied to face masks and other PPE as a viricide (virus killing) to provide added protection to key workers.

Stream Bio Ltd’s self-developed fluorescent molecular probes can increase the sensitivity of antibody testing, with the firm hoping they can be used to detect COVID-19 at its earliest stages.

Biotechnology firm Kromek Group is expanding its team to work on the development of a mobile pathogen detection system to detect biological threats.

Janet Todd, NETPark manager at Business Durham, commented: “It’s great to see that NETPark companies are looking at innovative ways to fight COVID-19 and proactively seeking out collaborative opportunities.

“NETPark is a thriving community of science, engineering and technology companies providing over 550 highly skilled jobs working across a range of sectors such as life science and electronics.

“We wish them well as they work to combat COVID-19.”