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 which specialises in patented visible light activated, photocatalytic, antimicrobial coatings. The coatings prevent the growth of bacteria on the surface it has been applied to, 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] with a range of commercial applications for their products.

In 2021, Kastus raised €5.65m 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" (in en). https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/03/2071856/24609/en/InvisibleShield-Debuts-Glass-Screen-Protection-for-the-Google-Pixel-4a-Phone.html. 
  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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