Technology Overview

Microbial contamination is a serious problem in both medical and non-medical applications. There is an unmet need for biocompatible anti-infectives to prevent and eradicate microbial colonization of both live and dead surfaces. This technology offers a tangible solution to avert microbial contamination of medical devices and decrease the microbial burden in ocular and skin infections.

The technology is in relation to the production of nanofibres that are incorporated with antimicrobial actives to mitigate microbial contamination for wound dressings. The antimicrobial actives include plant extracts and polymers that can be incorporated into nanofibres or formulated as coatings to prevent microbial contamination. These actives work at a wide range of temperatures (including when refrigerated), are safe at treating topical fungal infections and can combine with biocompatible agents for the preparation wound dressings and coatings. Such materials are also useful to prevent food contamination, preparation of anti-infective face masks and personal protective equipment.

The company is seeking for partners to develop this technology for therapeutics as well as anti-infective coatings for both medical and non-medical applications.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

The technology comprises of antimicrobial polymers with the following features:

• Safe
• Effective at decreasing bacterial load by ≥99.9 %
• Kills bacteria within (1h)
• Rapid fungicidal
• Excellent aqueous solubility
• Highly durable
• Stable upon UV and heat treatments (110 °C)
• Suitable to treat topical fungal infections
• Has excellent ocular tolerability even at high concentrations

The nanofibres production technology is based on electrospinning and several industries are already using this technique in the manufacture of wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, face masks filters and other non-medical applications.

Some features of the nanofibres include:

• Biocompatible
• Able to incorporate antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, metal ions and other substances
• Provides sterile environment in bacteria contaminated wounds without interfering the wound closure

Potential Applications

Key areas of applications for the antimicrobial polymers are for the treatments of fungal and bacterial infections including diabetic foot ulcers, second degree burns, infectious keratitis, anti-infective contact lenses and wound dressings.

The nanofibre technology can be expanded for the manufacture of protective wrappings of foods, personal protective equipment, and face masks.

With the global burn care market expected to grow from estimated US$ 2.49 billion in 2021 to US$ 3.95 billion by 2026, advanced dressings are set to dominate the market with more than 33% share. As such, this technology will be able to provide a tangible solution for advanced dressings.

Customer Benefit

• Scalable
• Formulated for clinical use
• Suitable to reduce risk of burn infections