BioInteractions develops Avert surface active antimicrobial coating
To reduce the incidence of medical device-related infections
BioInteractions, a UK-based provider of biocompatible solutions to the medical device and pharmaceutical industry, has developed a surface active antimicrobial coating, called Avert, to reduce the incidence of device-related infections.
The firm says Avert is the only anti-microbial coating to combine a non-thrombogenic with an anti-microbial component. The unique polymer formulation of Avert is biocompatible, lubricious and anti-microbial.
Avert inhibits protein deposition and bacterial adhesion, thereby preventing biofilm formation. The active antimicrobial component, poly(hexanide) is co-polymerised with non-thrombogenic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a stabilising monomer to provide a stable, non-leaching coating assembly, which displays a contact-kill mechanism for anti-microbial activity.
The coating process developed allows for both external and internal surfaces of a medical device, such as a catheter, to be coated, therefore increasing the overall effectiveness of the device.
The coating has demonstrated long-term protection against infection, with less than a 20% reduction in activity after four weeks, and displays a broad spectrum of activity against a variety of bacterial strains, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Avert is currently licensed to B.Braun for its central venous catheter for long-term protection against infection.