Next-generation biomaterials developed at IBBME make catheters safer

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Next-generation biomaterials developed at IBBME make catheters safer

Navilyst Medical launches BioFlo PICC with integrated Endexo Technology, developed by IBBME Director Paul Santerre

November 1, 2011

Making medical devices that address the challenge of delivering safe care to patients is standard procedure at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) at the University of Toronto. Just ask Professor Paul Santerre, IBBME Director, who developed Endexo Technology through his spin-off company, Interface Biologics Inc (IBI), which he founded in 2001.

Two months ago IBI announced the execution of a licensing agreement with Fresenius Medical Care to apply Endexo Technology to dialysis circuits for treating end-stage renal disease. Now Navilyst Medical has launched BioFlo, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) that uses Endexo in five clinical centres in Canada with an anticipated US launch in early 2012.

Endexo is a self-locating fluoro-oligomeric additive that reduces platelet adhesion and activation, protein adsorption and thrombus formation. Endexo is present on all surfaces of the BioFlo PICC and remains present for the life of the catheter, and reduces the need for anti-coagulants such as herapin, which patients may adversely react to, or antibiotics that may be associated with bacterial resistance. Between early September and November, over 70 catheters have been placed in patients with positive outcomes in all cases.

"Endexo products are now in five Canadian hospitals," said Santerre. "Interface Biologics is only one of the 16 current IBBME start-up companies. Imagine the impact that awaits the healthcare market from this great Institute."

Technology transfer is a priority at IBBME. With the assistance of MaRS, the Centre for the Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine, and the U of T Innovations and Partnership Office, innovative technologies and processes are brought out of the lab and into the hospital. Techna, a new UHN-University of Toronto healthcare technologies commercialization initiative that launches next week, will also help bridge the gap between research and the clinical application of technologies.

Those technologies such as Endexo are needed and wanted by the healthcare industry. “It’s so rewarding to see the positive reaction of critical care nursing professionals at a recent Toronto clinical meeting as they learned about the product advantages,” said Tom Reeves, President and CEO of IBI, reflecting on the BioFlo launch at Canadian Vascular Access Association conference in Toronto on October 21.

The Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) is an interdisciplinary centre founded by three Faculties at the University of Toronto: Applied Science and Engineering, Dentistry, and Medicine. The Institute pursues research in four areas: neural, sensory systems and rehabilitation engineering; biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; molecular imaging and biomedical nanotechnology; medical devices and clinical technologies.

University of Toronto Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering

Next-generation biomaterials developed at IBBME make catheters safer