IAA Biodegradable microcapsules for personal care and fast moving consumer goods - BioCaps

The CEO of Naturbeads is interested in technologies to produce small cellulose microbeads without using oil, as with the current method they have licensed from the University. One of the PDRAs on BioBeads has developed one such method, co-axial extrusion, with good results. I have not mentioned details about the technology to Naturbeads CEO as it was developed under the BioBeads consortium agreement, just that we have been working on something that could do what they are interested in.

As Natalie Harker, Tech Transfer Manager, has advised we cannot patent our cellulose-cellulose capsules, it might be more promising to explore whether co-axial extrusion could be scaled-up and patented. The PDRA hired to work on AirBeads is the same who developed the co-axial technology. BioBeads is ending on 30/11/21 and the consortium members have a right to negotiate a license for up to 6 months from the end of the project on any IP produced in BioBeads. As such, we will have to assess with the contracts team whether Naturbeads could be involved during AirBeads or only after the end of the project.