Sustainable Liquid Barrier Dressings: A Revolution for management of wounds and topical infection in livestock

In 2018 the founder scientists of NoBACZ Healthcare, working in the department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge, were introduced to the lameness-associated infection 'digital dermatitis', which mainly afflicts dairy cows. Infectious lameness is, in fact, a major welfare issue for livestock which in turn affects animal growth rates and/or feed conversion efficiency and may require early culling or cause abortion. Indeed these are recognised problems in terms of efficiency and sustainability in livestock farming. Based on these facts, the scientists set out to develop innovative technology that would not only aid in the management of digital dermatitis and similar livestock problems but would be affordable, composed of vanilla-safe components and be sustainable- particularly reducing requirements for bandages and dressings (which go to landfill or incineration) as well as antibiotics. The result was the discovery of rapid-setting, liquid-apply barrier dressings, created from feed and food grade components. These were patent protected and the spin out company, NoBACZ Healthcare, was born with its focus especially on livestock.

NoBACZ's barrier dressings have shown strong potential in many veterinary applications in 'use studies' on animals that may otherwise require antibiotics, dressings and bandages. The innovation is not just about sustainability and practicality, its also about effectiveness as pilot works suggests that NoBACZ's prototype products are better dressings and better bandages leading to better outcomes. We have also shown that simple skin disinfectants, like iodine, are compatible as pre-applications for our liquid barrier dressings and this may be a powerful combination in the management and prevention of wounds and topical infections as well as the sequalae of disease and welfare issues.

In spite of great progress to date with prototype products and use-studies on livestock, the products themselves, the optimal manufacturing routes and the processes of practical application (including co-application with iodine) are not yet substantially established. This project aims to fully develop those technical improvements, moving the products much closer to market.

In particular, we will optimise both gel and spray formulations as well as their packaging, show what best application procedures are in the farm environment and measure the quality and efficiency of health outcomes versus current standards of care. Bovine digital dermatitis and udder cleft dermatitis, alongside ovine foot-rot and general 'first aid' applications in livestock will be major focal points.