Georgia Fleet

Fighting antimicrobial resistance through innovation

Dr Georgia Fleet is CEO and co-founder of Zonova, a London-based company developing innovative antimicrobial technology for medical devices. Her journey from pharmaceutics to materials science began during her doctorate where the discovery of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis completely redirected her research focus.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health issue, with medical device-related infections significantly driving antibiotic overuse. Zonova’s technology tackles this by incorporating antimicrobial properties directly into medical devices like catheters, sutures, and orthopaedic implants, preventing infections before they start. This innovative approach minimises the reliance on antibiotics and enhances patient outcomes.

“Everything is figureoutable,” says Georgia, embodying the determination that drove her to establish her own lab in a shipping container during the pandemic after securing £93,000 in funding to continue her vital research.

Her achievements include winning the SEC’s Innovation Club Pitching Competition. The Women in Innovation Award, enables her to advance R&D into Zonova’s antimicrobial technology beginning with orthopaedic implants, starting with animal health and expanding into human healthcare.

“I am incredibly honoured to be a Women in Innovation Award winner,” says Georgia. “This recognition validates the hard work and dedication of the Zonova team in addressing antimicrobial resistance. It’s a powerful opportunity to amplify our mission, inspire other women in STEM, and further accelerate Zonova’s impact on global healthcare.”

“As a woman in a male-dominated field, where women only account for about 26-30% of the STEM workforce, I have experienced challenges in gaining recognition and support,” Georgia reflects. “I overcame these obstacles by seeking mentorship from other inspiring women in STEM and leveraging my expertise to build credibility.”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Persevere and find mentors who believe in your potential. The path to innovation is filled with challenges, but with determination and the right support, you can overcome anything.”

For more information on Women in Innovation

Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.