Silq and NuSil will pursue opportunities to apply Silq’s technology on implantable medical devices that are prone to complications resulting in infections and premature device failure.
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla.—Silq Technologies Corporation and NuSil Technology LLC have entered into an agreement to facilitate the use of Silq’s zwitterionic surface treatment technology on medical devices manufactured with NuSil silicone products, according to a release from Silq Technologies.
Silq Technologies is a privately held advanced materials science company that spun out of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). NuSil Technology is a subsidiary of Avantor Inc., a Radnor, Pennsylvania-based global supplier of high-quality silicones for long-term medical implants.
The release stated that Zwitterion surface technology has been the subject of research in academia for several decades because of its potential to reduce medical implant-associated infections and complications without the use of antibiotics.
“Zwitterion functionalized surfaces have also been shown to mitigate fibrosis and thrombosis, reduce encrustation, and enhance surface lubricity,” the release said. “However, manufacturing and economic challenges have largely prevented their commercial applicability.”
Silq Technologies has developed and deployed what it called “an innovative, scalable method of applying a permanent zwitterion surface treatment to implantable medical devices.” The company first demonstrated the technology on indwelling catheters—commonly used medical implants that have been historically associated with high complication rates.
Silq’s zwitterion-treated ClearTract® Foley catheter has been cleared by the FDA and is currently being rolled out commercially across the United States. Preliminary findings of two randomized clinical trials reportedly demonstrate “highly favorable clinical outcomes and economic benefits of Silq’s technology.” Final results are expected to be published in the coming months, the company said in the release.
Silq and NuSil’s collaboration will explore opportunities to apply Silq’s technology on a wide range of implantable medical devices that are currently prone to complications resulting in infections, premature device failure, and surgical removal and replacement.
“We are extremely excited by the potential our collaboration with NuSil offers,” said D. Verne Sharma, CEO of Silq, in a statement. “This partnership aims to address challenges currently faced by device manufacturers and we believe it will expedite our mission of utilizing zwitterion technology across a diverse array of implantable applications.”
“NuSil is excited to collaborate with Silq, a leader in applying permanent zwitterion surface treatments to implantable medical devices,” said NuSil General Manager Rich Best, in the release. “The potential synergies between these surface coatings and our customized silicone solutions could drive new innovations in emerging therapies and medical devices and bring significant benefit to patients. This collaboration aligns with our mission to set science in motion to create a better world.”
Silq Technologies’ patented zwitterion-based technology and scalable manufacturing platform is reported to deliver “a unique surface treatment that is designed to resist the adhesion of organic material, thereby improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of a broad range of commercial products.” The technology can be used in medical devices, medical implants, microfluidics, biopharma applications, and water treatment facilities, among other applications.
Silq is working with several medical device manufacturers to evaluate the clinical benefits of its zwitterion coating on their implantable products, the company said.
Silq’s first product, a surface treated silicone Foley catheter, has been cleared for sale by the FDA and is in early stages of commercialization.