Teleflex Awarded U.S. Army Grant to Develop Anti-Biofilm Orthopedic Device
28 October 2014 - 10:00PM
Business Wire
Combining Semprus Sustain™ Technology &
Antimicrobial Release to Reduce Orthopedic Infections
Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of
medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced that
it has been awarded a $2.1 million research grant from the U.S.
Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center
(TATRC), located at Fort Detrick, MD. The award will support
research and development of a surface-modified tibial
intramedullary nail that combines the Semprus Sustain™ technology
with antimicrobial technology. Up to an additional $2.46 million in
funding for the project may be provided under the award, at the
U.S. Army’s discretion.
The research will be conducted at Teleflex’s facilities in
Cambridge, MA, in conjunction with U.S. Army Institute for Surgical
Research (USAISR) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. This
award builds upon an initial $1.1 million TATRC grant awarded to
Semprus BioSciences in 2011 to develop the world’s first orthopedic
devices designed to reduce biofilm formation.
“Teleflex is pleased to partner with the U.S. Army to develop a
solution to an unmet need in orthopedic injuries affecting our
wounded men and women in combat,” said Benson Smith, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer. “This award will help enable
Teleflex to combine its proprietary Sustain surface modification
and antimicrobial solutions to develop a valuable clinical solution
to battleground injuries, and we are hopeful that this
collaboration will yield greatly improved clinical outcomes for
soldiers.”
Orthopedic injuries, common in the majority of wounded soldiers,
can lead to significant morbidity and failure to return to duty.
Initial stabilization with external fixators followed by delayed
conversion to intramedullary (IM) nails has become the standard of
care for US military personnel. Despite receiving initial treatment
within minutes of being wounded and the rapid evacuation to
definitive care, most open fractures test positive for multi-drug
resistant bacteria due to the significant amount of soft-tissue
damage inflicted by a blast injury. Highly infected wounds can lead
to delayed bone union or ultimately require amputation due to
infectious complications.
Advancements in the management and prevention of infections
associated with orthopedic injuries has significantly improved in
recent years with the routine use of debridement techniques,
negative pressure wound therapy, prophylactic antibiotics, and bone
stabilization. Despite these improvements, orthopedic infections of
up to 30%-40% can occur in traumatic open fractures which are
typically treated with fixation devices such as intramedullary
nails, plates, and screws. Therefore, new strategies for preventing
infection are needed such as the prevention of bacterial adherence
to metal implants, which is a well-documented phenomenon and is
considered to be the first step in infection. After adhering to a
surface, bacteria may form a biofilm and remain virtually
impervious to standard medical treatment including systemic or
local antibiotic therapy or debridement.
About Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical
devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our
mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to
improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety.
Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,500
people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 150
countries. Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained
from the company's website at teleflex.com.
About Semprus BioSciences
Semprus BioSciences, a biomedical company located in Cambridge,
MA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated
specializing in the research and development of innovative
approaches to reduce medical device complications. The company’s
proprietary Sustain™ Technology signifies a breakthrough in medical
device technology with its highly non-fouling surface using
covalently bonded polymers that coordinate water over the device
surface to reduce microbial attachment. Previously a venture-backed
company, Semprus was acquired by Teleflex in 2012.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not
describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are
based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in
circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to
differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these
statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and
described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Teleflex, Semprus BioSciences and Semprus Sustain are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its
affiliates. ©2014 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved.
MC-000712
This research and development project is being conducted by
Semprus BioSciences and is made possible by a cooperative agreement
that was awarded and administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research
& Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and the Telemedicine &
Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), at Fort Detrick, MD
under Contract Number: W81XWH-14-2-0015
Teleflex IncorporatedJake ElguiczeTreasurer and Vice President,
Investor
Relations610-948-2836jake.elguicze@teleflex.comwww.teleflex.com
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