Scalp cooling expert PAXMAN and the University of Huddersfield have signed a five-year research and collaboration agreement covering the PAXMAN Scalp Cooling Research Centre, a new multidisciplinary research group at the University of Huddersfield.
The centre will focus on biological hair follicle research as well as developing innovative scalp cooling-related treatments and individual 3D-printed cooling caps.
The £1million investment in cash, staffing and other resources during the first 5 years will be jointly funded by PAXMAN and the University of Huddersfield.
PAXMAN’s investment during the first year will be covered partly by an EU-financed grant and during the following four years it will be included as a part of the company’s existing R&D budget.
Initially, the Centre will focus its efforts on three key projects:
- Biological research using the most clinically-relevant in vitro models: cultivated human hair follicles.
- Development of a topical product with the potential to substantially enhance the effect of scalp cooling. The enhancement effect of the product has already been proven in initial in vitro tests.
- Development of a novel, environmentally friendly ecosystem for 3D-printed individual cooling caps ready for mass production.
PAXMAN’s CEO Richard Paxman, said: “The launch of the PAXMAN Scalp Cooling Research Centre is a historic event in the scalp cooling sector that will take our existing R&D projects to a whole new level. PAXMAN will now become the only hair loss-preventing scalp cooling provider firmly based on biological research. We are also taking an important step towards achieving our long-term Zero Hair Loss vision.”
Professors Michael Ginger and Mike Kagioglou at the University of Huddersfield, added: “The University of Huddersfield and PAXMAN are now creating the foundation for a new era in the equally exciting and important field of multidisciplinary scalp cooling and hair follicle research. The aim of the PAXMAN Scalp Cooling Research Centre is to become a global leader in its field, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge while also developing cutting-edge products.”
The £100,000 grant received by PAXMAN consists of a support program from Access Innovation offered to innovative companies in the Leeds City area. It is delivered by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and West Yorkshire Combined Authority with co-funding by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.
The PAXMAN Cooling System (also known as the ‘cold cap’) alleviates the damage caused to the hair follicle by chemotherapy. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy.
Made from lightweight silicone, the scalp cooling cap is soft and flexible – providing a snug, yet comfortable fit during treatment, moulding to all head shapes and sizes. Liquid coolant passes through the cap, extracting heat from the young person’s scalp, ensuring it remains at an even, constant temperature to minimise hair loss.
Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, and this is the reason why many chemotherapy drugs cause alopecia. The hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked, resulting in hair loss approximately two weeks after the commencement of chemotherapy treatment.
