Developer of scalp cooling technology Paxman, alongside the University of Huddersfield have been nominated for a higher education Oscar at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.
TIMES Photo
The two organisations’ five-year partnership has resulted in a nomination for the ‘Most Innovative Contribution to Business-University Collaboration’.
During the partnership, researchers helped the company investigate the science behind scalp cooling and have clinically-observed patient success. Paxman worked with the School of Art, Design and Architecture to design its latest scalp cooling cap. The project balanced patients’ needs for a comfortable, snug fit with strict manufacturing-cost parameters.
The Paxman Scalp Cooling System has been designed to help cancer patients to keep their hair.
Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is widely recognised as one of the most traumatic side effects associated with cancer treatment.
The cap lowers scalp temperature before, during and after patients have received chemotherapy.
Paxman’s partnership with the university started in 2012 as part of a joint initiative with Kirklees Metropolitan Council looking at the fundamental biology behind scalp cooling.
Paxman is planning to work with the university in the future and is aiming for zero hair loss by 2020.
Speaking about the nomination, Richard Paxman, CEO of Paxman, said: “The research collaboration has helped Paxman establish itself as the leader in its field. More than 2,500 cooling systems are installed in treatment centres around the world, with the prospect of huge expansion in the USA still to come. Our relationship with the university is deep-rooted and with more joint research planned for the future, the relationship will continue to flourish.”
The winners of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards will be announced on 30th November at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
THE editor John Gill said: "Once again these awards have attracted hundreds of entries from the length and breadth of the nation, and from institutions of every hue. All those shortlisted can be immensely proud to have made it through this first phase, and we at Times Higher Education look forward to honouring the winners for their talent, creativity and commitment at a time for the academy when these qualities are increasingly essential."