To bring new insect silk products for a broad range of medical and industrial applications
Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Lonza, have entered a joint development agreement to advance and market exciting new insect silks for a broad range of medical and industrial applications. CSIRO is bringing scientific discovery, biomedical and materials science expertise to the partnership, according to Cameron Begley, Business Development and Commercialisation General Manager, CSIRO.
Insect silk is a potential key component in a wide range of new products and applications under development by the fast growing biotechnology manufacturing industry due to superior properties such as exceptional strength and toughness. Potential applications include composite fibres for the aviation and marine industries and medical applications including wound repair, drug delivery, and repairing and replacing human tissues such as membranes, ligaments, blood vessels and cartilage.
“CSIRO has identified a broad range of insect silks that could be produced sustainably and used for a wide range of industrial and medical applications. We have found ways to convert the bee silk into a range of different forms, from micro-particles and sponges through to spun fibers that can lead to knitted and woven fabrics,” Begley said.
Allison Haitz, Head of Global Innovation, Lonza said, “Lonza is excited by the potential of insect silks as a relatively untapped route to sustainable and life enhancing products for our current markets and beyond, and it is encouraging to see such strong projects resulting from our Lonza Innovation for Future Technology initiative.”
“Lonza has been impressed with CSIRO’s research and development work. This is a world class combination with CSIRO’s research team developing new ways of processing silks and achieving continuous strong silk fibre production, and Lonza’s experience and capability in manufacturing to take that research to the marketplace and support the successful commercialisation,” she said.
EP NEWS BUREAU – Mumbai