Irish firm Kastus has received a €1.5 million investment as it plans its international expansion and grows its business. The investment was led by the Atlantic Bridge University Fund,
The company earlier this year announced it would commercialise research that had yielded a significant discovery to help in the fight against antibiotic resistant superbugs.
Kastus founder John Browne funded research by scientists at the Dublin Institute of Technology's (DIT) Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology that developed nantotechnology to combat bugs such as MRSA and E.coli, which could kill 10 million people worldwide by 2050
The agent can be baked into everyday surfaces, including smartphones and door handles, killing bacteria or inhibiting its growth. It can be used on any paint, plastic, ceramic and glass surfaces.
The company plans to bring a range of products to the market, with he electronics and healthcare sectors getting products next year.
“This investment from Atlantic Bridge’s University Fund is strong validation that Kastus’ scientific research has great potential to be commercialised into international markets. To have the backing of Atlantic Bridge is an incredible endorsement for the future,” he said.
Kastus is also supported by Enterprise Ireland and Singapore-based investor syndicate, Carragh Holdings. The company also plans to set up a permanent presence in the US and UK markets.
