Together, DSM and SAT are developing affordable, durable and minimally invasive replacement heart valves.

Strait Access Technologies (SAT) develops technologies to treat heart valve diseases. The company's focus on the complex requirements for devices suitable for younger patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has delivered breakthrough solutions. These new approaches also promise benefits for older patients with degenerative heart valve conditions. Professor Peter Zilla, CEO & Medical Director, discusses SAT’s collaboration with DSM on innovative replacement heart valves.

In 2018, the World Health Organization declared RHD a global health priority. RHD is a major health concern in emerging economies, affecting similar numbers of people as HIV. Our products treat RHD — a potentially fatal condition that can develop from lack of access to antibiotics.

DSM's R&D capabilities and advanced biomaterials expertise have allowed SAT to produce a ground-breaking product with compelling commercial prospects. SAT’s new heart valves are made with polymeric leaflets composed of DSM's CarboSil® Thermoplastic Silicone-Polycarbonate-Urethane (TSPCU). CarboSil® TSPCU gives the valves durability and also dispenses with the need for anticoagulants. Traditional replacement heart valves either require the patient to take anticoagulants on a daily basis, with potentially negative side-effects, or else are of limited durability, especially in the case of younger patients.

These products are still in the development and testing phase but have already received strong encouragement from non-governmental organizations such as the World Heart Federation. They will be launched on receipt of regulatory approval.