There are a number of innovative projects in our R&D pipeline that we are proud to be working on with our research partners. Each of these projects is intended to deliver higher efficacy and efficiency from our cryotherapy solutions, positively enhancing the patient experience and their outcomes, as well as benefitting hospitals and cancer centres.

Scalp cooling is currently not a perfect process, with variations in results even for those with the same hair type and chemotherapy regimen. Work with Dr. Nik Georgopoulos at Sheffield Hallam University and previously the Paxman Research & Innovation centre, has provided positive evidence that a topical formulation could suppress or prevent toxicity to hair follicles under conditions when cooling may not adequately protect. The aim is to be able to formulate an agent in such a way that it can be applied topically to the scalp just before drug infusion. The formulation will promote the efficient delivery of the antioxidant to the follicle’s rapidly dividing cells to protect from chemotherapy-mediated toxicity.

The formulations use lipid nanoparticles with the ability to deliver antioxidants (AOs) to the hair follicle region in the skin, used as a precursor to scalp cooling. Research in this area has also led to the development of the production of nano-particulates for the formulation. A panel of three reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitors (AO1, AO2 and AO3) uses a range of formulations to encapsulate these ROS inhibitors/AOs for optimised skin delivery. The Paxman Research & Innovation Centre have extensive laboratory (in vitro) data on these AOs, proving their ability to prevent hair follicle cell cytotoxicity when used in conjunction with cooling against a variety of chemotherapy drugs.

These formulations may not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerate recovery post chemotherapy treatment.

Paxman are now working with a third party on formula optimisation of the nano lipid carrier (NLC), regulatory approvals and formulation scale up processes

Sizing and fitting of caps are currently performed by clinical staff or patients which rely on absorbing Paxman’s extensive resources and clinical training services. While the current cap and cover have seen a notable improvement in fit over the years, which has improved scalp cooling outcomes for patients, as well as improved ease of use, there are a number of areas that Paxman are keen to improve on.

Utilising the medical design expertise within the with various academic institutions such as Huddersfield and Leeds University, Paxman have launched a project to explore ways to improve the cooling cap and cover, to factor in sustainability and the best possible fit for all head shapes and sizes.

Paxman is exploring the development of 3D-printed, eco-friendly, cooling caps that will ensure the caps can be better tailored to each patient with the goal of eliminating incorrect sizing on treatment day. These caps will also help to address the variance in cranial indices across the globe and limit the impact on the environment as scalp cooling adoption expands into more markets.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is damage caused to the peripheral nervous system that carries messages between the brain, the spinal cord and the rest of the body, as a result of chemotherapy treatment. Sensory side effects are caused when nerves in the most distal parts of the limbs are damaged – the hands and feet – and manifests from tingling sensations to excruciating pain.

Peripheral neuropathy can be a debilitating outcome for patients on taxane-based chemotherapy, which severely impacts quality of life. Trials have shown the potential of cryotherapy and compression as an effective preventative treatment.

In early 2019, Paxman signed a research collaboration agreement with the National University Hospital in Singapore (NUH), for the development of the Paxman Limb Cryocompression System. The development of the device has been conducted by Paxman in collaboration with our UK research partners to deliver consistent and measurable cooling and compression with trials currently underway with promising preliminary results.

A clinical trial was initiated by National University Hospital, Singapore, in collaboration with The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, to evaluate the PLCS with healthy volunteers and cancer patients.

Implementation of cooling technology can sometimes be limited due to available space at hospitals and cancer centres. Currently, the Paxman Scalp Cooling System is 650mm x 320mm x 460mm, with an option to have a dual system for treating two patients simultaneously.

Progression of the PLCS has allowed Paxman to create smaller and more compact technologies, reducing the amount of valuable space occupied and thereby removing additional barriers to cryotherapy adoption and implementation.

Miniaturisation of the technology also paves the way for simultaneous limb cryocompression alongside scalp cooling to offer a more comprehensive chemotherapy side effect management solution.