More with Less An Introduction to Revolution Fibres

Based in West Auckland, NZ Nanofibre Production: –Design superior nanofibre products –Manufacture specialised runs to industrial scale –Deliver revolutionary products to multiple markets

Design …… functional nanofibre Develop ……. Superior products Manufacture ……. Specialised to Industrial scale Commercialise ……. innovation

Delivering Superior Products

NZ Innovation Awards: Innovation in Manufacturing and Supreme Winner

Extraordinary Nanofibres Van der Waals forces Attractive forces at the molecular level Non-woven Fibres are created to form a non-woven web of nanofibres Continuous fibre Small in diameter, long in length Negligible weight & Thickness Compared to traditional materials, nanofibres weigh virtually nothing. Porous structure A Nanofibre web consists mostly of air Platform Technology A platform to launch new functionality in materials

Electrospinning: The Enabling Technology Properties:  High Surface area  Strength  Carrier  Stability  Natural Materials:  Synthetic polymers: PVA, PA6,  Biopolymers Collagen  Additives Plant extracts Drug compounds Applications Electrospinning

A multitude of commercial applications

The Missing Link? Technology  Amazing innovation,  Lab scale  Low/no scale up available  Not concerned with markets and customers Industry  Market focused  Looking for competitive advantage  Only wants tangible “here and now”  Not keen on long R&D commitments ???

The Delivery: Industrial Scale Production ES1-A  0.1 grams/hour Pilot: The Chameleon  100 grams/hour  Control and adjust 20+ variables  1000mm wide capable Sonic Electrospinning Technology Production: The Komodo  800 grams/hour  Fully enclosed  2000mm wide capable  Variable substrates and multiple layers  Additional ES units to increase production Winner of NZ Engineering Excellence Award 2012

The Transfer of Nanofibre Technology into Products Materials Electrospinning Products

The next generation of skin care Skin performance and skin repair dressings Collagen fibre carrying specifically formulated plant extracts known for skin rejuvenation and cell growth

High efficiency filtration Unique, biodegradable air filters Manuka-infused antibacterial fibres In 120,000 New Zealand homes Nanofibre Air Filters

Opportunities in Biotech From “Advanced Healthcare Materials 2012”: “Electrospinning is a remarkably simple, robust, and versatile technique capable of generating fibers with diameters down to the nanoscale. A non-woven mat of electrospun nanofibres possesses high porosity and spatial interconnectivity well-suited for nutrient and waste transport and cell communication. A scaffold based on electrospun nanofibers also has a large specific surface area for loading of bioactive molecules to facilitate efficient and selective cellular responses. Electrospinning has been applied to more than 100 different types of polymers. Naturally occurring matrix proteins including collagen, elastin, and fibrinogen and synthetic polymers such as poly( ε - caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic- co -glycolic) acid (PLGA) can all be prepared as nanofibers by electrospinning.”

Unique Opportunities for NZ in Biotech Multitude of uses for nanofibre in biotech – many well researched and in need of commercialization Nanofibres very similar to structures in the body – from skin to cellular scaffolds Revolution Fibres: One of few nanofibre producers with industrial scale manufacturing capabilities and product development services A good country to innovate and trial unique treatments Good supporting research infrastructure – IIB, Auckland Uni, etc. A unique opportunity for NZ to embrace and champion a platform technology in the biotech space – generate new IP and new healthcare products. Required: innovators, sector leaders, manufacturing partner, routes to market

Current technology platforms in NZ A family of polyaniline related polymers Thermally stable Supports growth of mammalian cells Anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-static, barrier properties, etc. Conductive – capable of picking up and transferring signals across the fabric Useful for wound dressings, tissue / bone scaffolds

Current technology platforms in NZ Chitosan – sourced from squid pen Naturally antibacterial – proven to work against dermatological infections Proof of concept work with Otago University Collagen – sourced from hoki Readily absorbable in water and on skin Excellent carrier of active ingredients (drug compounds, bioactives, etc)

Areas of interest? Tissue regeneration: Skin repair, tendon-bone connection, bone/tendon/ligament repair, skin substitutes Encapsulation of drugs, antioxidants and enzymes: Known benefits of extending shelf-life, targeted release Controlled release: Topical skin applications, alternatives to pills ointments and injections (repeated doses) Oral / epidermal fast-dissolving delivery systems Biodegradable carrier systems for plant / human / animal protection products: Continual release, slow-release, encapsulation, weather resistant

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