DSM Biomedical, a global company serving the medtech and biotech industries and part of Royal DSM N.V., announced today that it has extended its lubricious ComfortCoat™ technology platform with the design of a hemocompatible antimicrobial coating to thwart intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Approximately 80,000 catheter-related bloodstream infections occur annually in U.S. intensive care units (ICUs) and are associated with as many as 24,000 patients deaths each year. Each of these infections is estimated to have a mean attributable cost of $18,000 and an associated excess hospital stay of 12 days per episode. (Source: Editorial, Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA], 2009;301(12):1285-1287).

With this innovative ComfortCoat technology several tests were previously performed, indicating bactericidal activity against E. Coli and S. Aureus. In addition, the other properties are equivalent to the existing ComfortCoat hydrophilic coating technologies that DSM Biomedical offers to medical device companies—namely an excellent lubricity and superior durability, thereby reducing stiction and friction resulting in reduced patient discomfort and tissue damage. The ComfortCoat hydrophilic coatings are applicable for adhesion to a variety of substrates. The initial hemocompatibility tests for this technology platform were performed by dr. H.P. Wendel of the University Hospital Tuebingen (Germany). Based on these results, it is DSM Biomedical’s strong belief that this addition to the ComfortCoat technology platform is well suited for central venous and intravenous catheters, including PICC catheters that come into contact with blood and may remain in the body for several days. This technology platform will be used in customized applications depending on the wishes and needs of the medical device industry.

“No doubt, intravascular catheters are indispensable to modern medicine, especially in ICUs,” said John Marugg, DSM Biomedical’s Business Manager for ComfortCoat. “Nevertheless, while conventional catheters provide necessary vascular access, their use puts patients at serious risk for local as well as systemic infectious complications. Healthcare institutions of course purchase millions of intravascular catheters each year. We believe that our new, advanced ComfortCoat formulation may help device manufacturers significantly reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

“Moreover, our ComfortCoat formulation is designed to offer other critically important benefits for intravascular catheters, including lubricity, durability and abrasion resistance,” added Carola Hansen, DSM’s Biomedical’s Product Manager for Comfort Coat. “Indeed, the advanced lubricity of ComfortCoat can significantly reduce the stiction and friction of medical devices, especially intravascular catheters. This feature can empower surgeons and other physicians to more easily navigate through difficult pathways in order to reach targeted areas of treatment without having to use too much force .”

Medical Device companies can now request samples for testing on their devices of this ComfortCoat technology platform extension in order to assure that they have access to this innovative coating technology for intravascular catheters.

About DSM Biomedical
DSM Biomedical develops novel materials-based solutions to meet the present and future needs of the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Building on the expertise and strengths of DSM and its acquisition of DSM PTG (formerly The Polymer Technology Group), the company’s product portfolio includes coatings, drug delivery platforms and a wide range of biomedical materials for use in short- and long-term implantable medical devices. Key product brands include Bionate® TPU and CarboSil® TSPU, two of the most extensively tested biomedical polymers ever developed—both polymers have excellent biostability, high strength and abrasion resistance, making them candidate materials for load-bearing orthopedic implants; ComfortCoat™ hydrophilic and antimicrobial coating technology for catheters, guidewires and stent delivery systems; and Dyneema Purity®, a high-performance polyethylene fiber technology developed specifically for use in medical applications such as orthopedic implants. The company also markets the Trancerta® Drug Delivery approach, which is based on DSM’s core strengths in polymers combined with its extensive in-house library of synthesis methods, formulation and processing techniques. For more information, visit www.dsmbiomedical.com.

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.