Noted with increasing frequency of late are the healthcare implications of the aging baby boomer generation. Everything from Medicare costs to drug development direction will be affected by this trend, and our own clients in the medical devices space are practically giddy with anticipation. Indeed, the device market is expected to double within the next ten years thanks to increased demand. Yet, as we’ve learned from last year’s media highlights of hospital-acquired infections (a problem that has flown largely under the public’s radar for many years), a real need for improved implant sterilization has developed. Like any other mechanical products used in surgery and patient care, implants carry the risk of causing infection, thrombosis, and even restenosis, and the growing frequency of elderly patient treatments means this risk is only going to increase.
Now a number of companies have popped up with a proposed solution, but we particularly like Cambridge, MA-based Semprus BioSciences, which is actually developing the first implantable and permanently antimicrobial surface technology for these devices. Unlike the slow-release antibiotic coatings currently on the market, Semprus’ solution permanently endows device surfaces with long-term protection to reduce infection, resist clot formations, and control cell growth and attachment (e.g., restenosis). The surface structure is made for plastics and metals, and has impressed VCs to the tune of $10.5 million in funding for the company already. Formerly known as Stericoat, Semprus also won seed financing from a venture challenge at the Columbia Business School, as well as MIT’s $100K Entrepreneurship Competition a few years back.
Definitely keep an eye on these guys! Demand is high, and the technology certainly looks promising…