Name: Georgia Fleet
Company: Zonova Technologies Ltd
Position: CEO and Cofounder
Website: https://zonovatech.com/
About Georgia Fleet
I founded Zonova in 2023, driven by a deep desire to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing global health: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As both a scientist and a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, my journey to starting Zonova was shaped by a series of setbacks that ultimately fueled my determination to create a groundbreaking solution.
At 18, I never expected to run a company focused on antimicrobial medical devices. After struggling with my A-Levels and failing Biology, I was forced to reassess my plans and secured a place through clearing to study Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences at Brighton University. A year spent as an R&D technician working on chemoembolization devices led me to discover my true passion for medical devices. Unlike drugs, medical devices offered faster real-world impact, inspiring me to explore this field further.
After completing my doctorate at UCL, I initially focused on oral health solutions but became captivated by hospital-acquired infections, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Realizing the severity of the problem and the lack of commercial solutions, I founded Zonova to create affordable, scalable antimicrobial technology.
A key insight came when I recognised that both human and veterinary healthcare face similar issues with infections from medical devices, which contribute to the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Zonova was born to tackle AMR across both sectors. We’re starting with urinary and IV catheters, where infections are a significant concern, and launching pilot studies with veterinary hospitals in Spring this year. Looking back, failing my A-Levels was a setback that ultimately led to a much greater opportunity. Zonova exists because of every unexpected twist along the way.
Looking ahead, this year is one of great potential for Zonova. We are focused on expanding the application of our antimicrobial technology across multiple sectors, including human and animal health, and we aim to secure licensing partnerships with industry leaders. We plan to file two new patents to further protect our innovations and drive the commercialization of our technology. Additionally, I will continue mentoring young women and girls, promoting diversity and inclusion within STEM fields, and providing opportunities for them to explore careers in innovation.
By the end of this year, we aim to see our antimicrobial technology successfully incorporated into both soft polymer medical devices and orthopaedic implants. This will help shift the healthcare sector away from antibiotic reliance and contribute significantly to global efforts in addressing AMR. I am committed to ensuring that Zonova continues to inspire the next generation of women in STEM while developing solutions that can change the world.
Through Zonova, I am proud to be leading the way in a critical area of health innovation and working to create a future where infection prevention is no longer reliant on antibiotics but instead driven by smarter, more sustainable solutions.
