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Environmentally friendly Alternative to Revolutionise the use of formaldehyde in The Histopathology (human tissue) fixative market.

Project description

A safer alternative to formaldehyde for histopathology

Microscopic examination of human tissues is a standard technique employed for disease diagnosis. To preserve the architecture and molecular profile of human tissue biopsy samples, histopathology labs around the world employ formalin, a formaldehyde-based solution, as a fixative. However, formaldehyde is classified as a class 1B carcinogen, putting healthcare workers around the world at daily risk. The EU-funded EARTH project has created Fixocare®, a fixative formulation made from natural products, as a safe alternative to formaldehyde. Apart from reducing both inhalation and skin irritation risk, Fixocare® is safer to dispose of and doesn’t lead to environmental contamination.

Objective

Environmentally friendly Alternative to Revolutionise the use of formaldehyde in The Histopathology (human tissue) fixative market.
The present: The microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease is the science known as histopathology. Human tissue biopsy samples are taken every day in hospitals around the world and ‘fixed’ in a formaldehyde solution fixative, known as Formalin.

The problem: Healthcare workers globally are exposed to formaldehyde for 8 hours a day on a daily basis. Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous substance.1. Daily, formaldehyde is first used in the operation theatres for preservation of tissue/biopsy tissue samples, which are then transported to the analytical laboratories, where, the second use of formaldehyde in the tissue fixation for microscopic examination occurs.

Personnel exposure and the subsequent waste disposal are major issues. The European Chemicals Agency has classified Formaldehyde as a Class 1b carcinogen: EC number: 200-001-8 CAS number: 50-00-02. Formaldehyde use is regulated by the Carcinogens Directive in EU workplaces, exposure levels have been reduced from 4ppm to 0.4ppm over an 8h period and 2ppm to 0.2ppm for a 15min period3, the rationale behind this proposal is for alternatives to formaldehyde to be found.
T
he business opportunity: Serosep Ltd., a SME presents Fixocare®, a fixative formulation made from natural products as a solution, which it plans to introduce to the histopathology community as a safe alternative to formaldehyde solutions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

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Coordinator

SEROSEP LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
ANNACOTTY BUSINESS PARK
V94FF83 ANNACOTTY LIMERICK
Ireland

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Ireland Northern and Western West
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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