New intelligent materials make healthcare safer

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Dorota Johansson
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001 Bactiguard
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Dr Ajay Luthra

Bactiguard and BioInteractions have received a European research grant aimed at developing a new generation of vascular access catheters, with new bio-smart materials for medical devices. The technology will be developed in a joint project with BioInteractions, UK and Bactiguard, financed by VINNOVA and Innovate UK.

Some of the most serious complications found in vascular access are infections and thrombosis. A combination product is to be developed with a long-acting coating featuring a thromboresistant capacity together with an anti-infective biocompatible noble metal surface.

– We want to provide a tissue-friendly, non-toxic and non-leaching solution and we will provide a cost efficient add-on solution to catheters that address the need for efficient infection control and tailor-made intelligent materials without increasing the burden of multi-resistance to antibiotics, says Dr Ajay Luthra, CEO BioInteractions Ltd.

Bactiguard has an anti-infective and biocompatible technology that prevents infections caused by  medical devices. BioInteractions has technologies for blood compatible surface treatments. Together they now join forces in a project to develop a tissue-friendly and non-toxic product, which prevents both infections and thrombosis. By combining the two technologies we will achieve infection prevention and a blood compatible surface, minimizing the serious complications associated with vascular access catheters such as central venous catheters (CVC). This will release resources in healthcare, reduce patient discomfort and provide safer healthcare.

– In this project, we use “state-of-the-art” technologies in order to develop intelligent materials that can save many patients from both life-threatening infections and thrombosis, says Dr Dorota Johansson, Head of R&D and Clinical Trials at Bactiguard.

The combined technology may also be applied to other medical devices where infection control and blood compatibility is critical.

The research grant within the European Programme Eurostars covers more than 6 million SEK over two and a half years.

For further information, please contact:
Ulrika Berglund, Head of External Affairs, Cell & Text: +46 708 800 407