Wearing it well: BioInteractions' new antimicrobial

MPN editor Laura Hughes sat down with Arjun Luthra, BioInteractions, to learn more about the company’s new antimicrobial which doesn’t release toxins into the body.

LH: Please tell me about your organisation, BioInteractions.

AL: BioInteractions innovates high-performance, biocompatible coating technologies for the medical device industry. We have spent over 25 years in the industry tackling the variety of biocompatible challenges seen by medical device manufacturers. Our range of products aims to provide innovative and effective solutions to improve antithrombogenicity, device related infections and tissue damage at the device-body interface.

We have also improved our ability to support our customers’ developments through our Commitment to Care (C2C) services. We are able to provide an optimised coating process for a specific device, in-house testing procedures and to provide supporting data and experience with regulatory submissions.

We believe the pairing of our innovative coating technology with our C2C services is the complete coating service for our customers.

LH: Which materials are you able to coat?

AL: Our technology works on a wide range of substrates and we have multiple techniques to improve the interaction between the substrate and the coating. Our application techniques enable us to coat a wider range of materials in order to ensure a consistent coating applied to the device to give long-term efficacy on the device.           

LH: You have developed a new antimicrobial which doesn’t release toxins into the body. How does this coating work?

AL: AvertPlus Antimicrobial is a non-leaching coating that eliminates bacteria and helps to reduce biofilm formation. The coating targets a broad spectrum of bacteria, without harming the patient’s cells.    

The coating works by using a combination of components to provide a contact-kill mechanism. This multi-faceted approach significantly reduces the ability of bacteria to remain on the surface and colonise. This gives the coating significant advantages over alternatives for tackling device related infections.

LH: Can you tell me more about the antithrombogenic coating you have developed which is able to mimic the endothelial layer?

AL: The Astute Antithrombogenic Coating is a non-leaching coating that actively improves the haemocompatibility of a device by mimicking the natural endothelial layer. Astute enables a device to perform its intended function by preventing formation of a thrombus and reduces the risks of further complications from occurring in a patient.

Astute Antithrombogenic coating uses a multi-faceted approach to prevent thrombus formation and helps the device maintain its position for therapy. The coating interrupts the blood cascade mechanism as well as prevents blood components from interacting and      depositing onto the surface. This innovative approach provides superior haemocompatibility to the surface and reduces significant risks of the device to improve the patient’s well-being.

LH: What do you think are the main challenges when developing coatings for manufacturers?

AL: Our customers face a variety of challenges whilst they are developing their final product for the market. A significant change in the industry has come from the regulatory changes, such as MDR. This has had a significant impact on the way devices are being regulated and has impacted the pathways certain devices are able to take. BioInteractions have followed these changes closely and are able to assist our customers with their regulatory submission.

LH: In the next five years, what are the key changes you predict within the coatings sector?

AL: The medical device regulations have been through significant changes recently. Therefore, the technologies will follow suit and have to catch up with these new regulations. This will take a significant amount of time but will also help to improve the overall quality of innovations and medical devices available.

In addition to this, there is a clear intent to introduce computer software and systems into more therapies. This will certainly change the way we are able to provide the therapies and the amount of data we are able to receive. This will in turn improve the therapies available to patients.

BioInteractions are committed to innovating and maintaining the highest standards for our customers in order to help provide innovative and effective medical devices for patients.