Introducing MCBA Consulting: Turning VOC Science into Healthcare Innovation

As autumn approaches, we’re reflecting on a busy summer welcoming several new tenants to Cardiff Medicentre. Today we’re delighted to introduce one of them: MCBA Consulting, who bring their cutting-edge work on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to our Cardiff business incubator. We caught up with Matt Bates, the company’s principal consultant, to learn more.

💬 So, what exactly does MCBA do?
🗨️ “In short: everything to do with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are compounds that are mostly in the gas phase at room temperature. To most people, they’re the molecules that give everyday things their smell – pleasant or otherwise. To us, they’re also a rich source of information about health. Our focus is on the human volatilome – all of the VOCs given off by the body. These compounds can tell us a lot. For example, changes in the volatilome can signal an infection or show how the body is coping with illness. In some cases, the presence of a single molecule might even indicate a chronic disease.”

💬 That sounds powerful. How do you see this being used in healthcare?
🗨️ “Our long-term aim is non-invasive screening and monitoring. Instead of blood draws or swabs, clinicians could read a chemical ‘fingerprint’ in the air around a wound, from a breath sample, or from the skin. It’s faster, easier, and more comfortable for patients. We’re also continuing our collaboration with Dr Sarah Hooper’s group at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Together, we’ve been identifying VOCs linked to bacterial infection, and the active ingredients in essential oils that inhibit or kill bacteria.”

💬 And why choose Cardiff Medicentre as your base?
🗨️ “It’s a great fit for us. The Medicentre is all about bringing health science entrepreneurs and researchers together, and that collaborative spirit is exactly what we need for the next stage of our work. Being next to the University Hospital of Wales also helps. It gives us the chance to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones. For us, the move isn’t just about lab space – it’s about being in the right place to turn VOC-based health monitoring into real tools for clinicians.”

💬 Thanks Matt – it’s been great to catch up.

MCBA Consulting is a perfect match for the Medicentre community. Their plans reflect exactly what our space is designed for: connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, and clinicians to drive healthcare innovation.

We’re excited to see how their research and collaborations grow here. To keep up with their work, follow MCBA Consulting on LinkedIn.

Welcome to the building, MCBA Consulting!