Company:Kastus

From HandWiki
Kastus® Technologies
IndustryBiotechnology
Founded2014
FounderJohn Browne
Headquarters
Dublin
,
Republic of Ireland
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsAntimicrobial solutions
Websitewww.kastus.com

Kastus Technologies is an Irish multinational nanotechnology company that specialises in patented, visible-light-activated, photocatalytic, antimicrobial coatings. These coatings prevent the growth of bacteria on surfaces such as ceramics, glass, and touchscreens, with no negative side effects for the end user.[1] Founded in Dublin in 2014, Kastus’ antimicrobial coatings were in development for over 10 years as part of a collaboration with Dublin Institute of Technology and the Advanced Materials and Bio Engineering Research (AMBER) Centres.[2]

History

John Browne, Kastus CEO, founded the company in 2014 in Dublin following 10 years of collaborative research with Dublin Institute of Technology.[3] It was developed out of an increasing demand for a reduction in the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections commonly found on indoor surfaces. In October 2017, the Department of Health published “Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020”, which highlighted the threat antimicrobial resistance poses and the urgent need for new technology to combat this.[4]

In April 2016, the Sligo Institute of Technology, which is funded by Kastus, announced the creation of a non-toxic antimicrobial nanotechnology, which Kastus plans to market globally.[5][6] This research is supported by a €1.5 million funding investment from Atlantic Bridge.[7][8]

In 2018, Kastus partnered with Oman-based ceramic tile producer Al Maha Ceramics, which exports to 15 countries in Asia and Africa. The deal saw Kastus use its antimicrobial technology to produce a range of new tiles called iProtect.[9]

In 2019, Kastus partnered with Faytech to enhance their development of touch display manufacturing capabilities.[10]

In 2020, Kastus developed antimicrobial and antiviral technology used on touch screens to prevent the spread of diseases such as COVID-19.[11] The screen technology has been shown to kill up to 99% of harmful bacteria, fungi, and antibiotic-resistant superbugs, including human coronavirus.[12] Kastus was awarded EU funding to further develop and expand these technologies and their applications,[13] and has partnered with companies such as Lenovo,[14] Zagg,[15] and Lavazza[16] for a range of commercial applications for their products.

In 2021, Kastus raised €5.65 million in a Series A round to build out its global commercial team to meet growing demand for its antiviral surface protection technology.[17]

Awards

  • Spin-out Company Impact Award (2017)[18]
  • Irish Times Innovation of the Year award (2017)[19]
  • Irish Times Life Sciences and Healthcare award (2017)[19]
  • KTI Impact Award Winners 2017[20]
  • Med Tech Award Finalists 2020 [21]
  • EY Entrepreneur of The Year Finalists [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Kastus® - TouchScreens" (in en-GB). https://kastus.com/touchscreen/. 
  2. ↑ "Amber". http://ambercentre.ie/. 
  3. ↑ Staff Writer (April 21, 2016). "Irish based scientists make superbug breakthrough". https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/irish-based-scientists-make-superbug-breakthrough-1.2619315. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  4. ↑ Department of Health (October 2017). Ireland's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (Report). Department of Health. https://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iNAP_web-1.pdf. Retrieved 25 June 2018. 
  5. ↑ McMahon, Conor (June 3, 2017). "An Irish med-tech firm could make your smartphone and toilet 'superbug'-free". http://www.thejournal.ie/kastus-john-browne-3-3448028-Jun2017/. Retrieved May 18, 2018. 
  6. ↑ Staff Writer (April 21, 2016). "Irish discovery could stem spread of 'superbugs'". https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0421/783319-science-superbugs-ireland/. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  7. ↑ O'Brien, Ciara (December 1, 2016). "Tech firm Kastus gets €1.5m investment led by Atlantic Bridge fund". https://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/tech-firm-kastus-gets-1-5m-investment-led-by-atlantic-bridge-fund-1.2889055. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  8. ↑ "DIT Hothouse spinout Kastus has raised €1.5m investment as it seeks to boost international sales of its antimicrobial technology to control superbugs". Dublin Institute of Technology. December 1, 2016. https://www.dit.ie/hothouse/news/newsarticles/headline,137049,en.html. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  9. ↑ Ronan, Leonard (February 27, 2019). "IRISH COMPANY KASTUS LAUNCHES SUPERBUG-RESISTANT TILES INTO MIDDLE EAST". Irish Tech News. https://irishtechnews.ie/irish-company-kastus-launches-superbug-resistant-tiles-into-middle-east/. 
  10. ↑ "Kastus teams with Faytech on touch display manufacturing" (in en). 2019-09-06. https://www.kioskmarketplace.com/news/kastus-teams-with-faytech-on-touch-display-manufacturing/. 
  11. ↑ Alston, Fiona (2020-10-13) (in en). Kastus screen protection to eliminate bacteria on contact. https://www.rte.ie/news/boost-my-business/2020/1013/1171287-kastus-screen-protection-to-eliminate-bacteria-on-contact/. 
  12. ↑ Taylor, Charlie. "Coating developed by Irish company Kastus effective against coronavirus" (in en). The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/coating-developed-by-irish-company-kastus-effective-against-coronavirus-1.4240877. 
  13. ↑ GALVIN, Grainne (2020-06-08). "Coronavirus: EU grants €314 million to 72 innovative companies to combat the virus and support recovery – 8 Irish companies among those to receive funding" (in en). https://ec.europa.eu/ireland/news/coronavirus-eu-grants-314-million-euro-to-72-innovative-companies-to-combat-the-virus-and-support-recovery-8-Irish-companies-among-those-to-receive-funding_en. 
  14. ↑ Hancock, Ciarán. "Irish tech company Kastus agrees partnership with Lenovo" (in en). The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/irish-tech-company-kastus-agrees-partnership-with-lenovo-1.4423887. 
  15. ↑ Inc, ZAGG (2020-08-03). "InvisibleShield Debuts Glass Screen Protection for the Google Pixel 4a Phone". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2021-03-29. {{cite press release}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ↑ "Lavazza introduces Kastus antimicrobial surface protectors for Flavia brewers" (in en). 2020-09-24. https://www.vendingtimes.com/news/lavazza-introduces-kastus-antimicrobial-surface-protectors-for-flavia-brewers/. 
  17. ↑ Keane, Jonathan (2021-06-21). "Kastus raises €5.65m for its anti-viral coating tech" (in en). https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/kastus-funding-anti-viral-coating-tech. 
  18. ↑ Staff Writer (March 30, 2017). "Kastus Wins SpinOut KTI Impact Award". Biz Plus. https://bizplus.ie/kastus-wins-spinout-kti-impact-award/. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 McAleer, Michael (October 11, 2017). "Superbug killer Kastus wins overall prize at Irish Times innovation awards". https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/superbug-killer-kastus-wins-overall-prize-at-irish-times-innovation-awards-1.3252818. Retrieved April 11, 2018. 
  20. ↑ admin, admin. "KTI Impact Award Winners 2017" (in en). https://www.knowledgetransferireland.com/Events/KTI-Impact-Awards/KTI-Impact-Awards-2017/KTI-Impact-Award-Winners-2017/. 
  21. ↑ "Finalists announced for Medtech Rising | Irish Medtech Association" (in en). http://www.imda.ie/IBEC/Press/PressPublicationsdoclib3.nsf/%VIEWALIAS%/finalists-announced-for-medtech-rising-13-11-2020?OpenDocument. 
  22. ↑ Harford, Sarah (2021-05-13). "Check out the 24 finalists for EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021" (in en). https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/entrepreneur-of-the-year-finalists-2021. 



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