NHS deal for hand gel start-up

Nathan Winch, a biology graduate, took three years to develop his range of hand sanitizers, branded Athenian after Athena, the Greek goddess associated with cleanliness.

Winch started Winch Pharma, in 2010, while studying molecular biology at the University of Huddersfield. “It was a bit of a nightmare,” he said. “I was 5pc away from a first, which I can comfortably put down to the fact that I was starting a business at the time.”

Winch Pharma, has now been listed as an approved NHS supplier, and has already secured a £1.5m share of a new £39m procurement contract.

Winch was surprised by the size of the order placed by the NHS: “I put in our application for the tender just two hours before the deadline so I didn’t expect the result we had,” he said.

His fledgling company is increasingly exporting products overseas, supplying gyms, care homes and private hospitals in India and across the Arabian peninsula.

Folowing discussions with a firm in Kuwait, Winch Pharma is also developing a range of feminine hygiene products. Muslim women were using the gels for "wudhu", the ritual cleansing before prayer.

“Any medical market could go after Athenian and we are constantly finding new uses for the product,” said Winch. “Any UK government department can purchase the product now we’re an NHS supplier, so we expect to see a fair amount of interest from the Home Office. The scope is huge.”

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