Infection
Hope in fight against killer catheter infections
Oct
Sponsored by TekCyte
Catheter-associated infections are a plague for the medical community around the world, placing a massive financial burden on healthcare budgets and more importantly, endangering patient lives.
These infections, which can result from the introduction of catheters or other medical devices like orthopaedic and dental implants into the human body, are responsible for an alarming number of hospital-acquired infections worldwide.
TekCyte’s medical coating BIOINVISIBLE™ combats catheter-associated infections.
An Australian biomedical firm, TekCyte is rising to the challenge to combat those infections with a novel medical coating – BIOINVISIBLE™.
“Every time a medical professional opens the skin, bacteria and fungi can enter,” says Dr Tony Simula, toxicologist and managing director of TekCyte.
While short-term infections can often be managed with a course of antibiotics, things are more serious when these infections involve long-term implantable devices, such as hip and knee replacements, or even specialised catheters like central venous catheters.
Dr Tony Simula, toxicologist and managing director of TekCyte.
Microorganisms can attach themselves to the surfaces of these implants, forming biofilms, which Simula describes as a type of microscopic “slime”.
Once a biofilm successfully colonises the surface of the implant, “it’s virtually impossible to remove and cannot be treated with antibiotics,” he says.
An estimated 60 to 80 per cent of hospital acquired infections are due to biofilm. This leads to recurring infections, the rejection of implants “and in severe cases can lead to sepsis and death”.
“It’s a particular issue where specialised catheters (like central venous catheters) need to be in place for weeks and months,” says Simula.
“Biofilm on the catheter can cause infections in the blood and in Australia there is an estimated 4000 such infections each year from central venous catheters.
“Approximately 20 per cent of these patients may die. The cost to Medicare from these infections is estimated at $36 million per year. Globally these numbers are staggering, at over $2 billion per year.”
These sobering statistics highlight the need for TekCyte’s groundbreaking BIOINVISIBLE, a cost-effective and drug-free coating that acts as a formidable physical barrier.
“BIOINVISIBLE acts as a physical barrier and prevents the attachment of bacteria and similar microorganisms to the surface of medical devices,” says Simula.
This simple yet ingenious solution serves to prevent the formation of biofilms, a powerful weapon in the arsenal to fight these infections.
While some catheters with coatings designed to reduce infections are already available on the market, they have limitations, primarily relying on the application of antibiotics or antimicrobial chemicals on the catheter’s surface, says Simula.
Simula says that the long-term exposure to these products may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global concern, with 700,000 deaths attributed to AMR each year and the numbers increasing rapidly, according to World Health Organisation figures.
What sets BIOINVISIBLE apart from many other catheter coatings is its drug-free nature, significantly reducing the risk of creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contributing to the global AMR problem.
“BIOINVISIBLE will be instrumental in improving the quality of life for patients relying on life-saving medical devices,” says Simula.
The technology offers not only the prospect of reducing the incidence of catheter and implant-related infections but also a positive impact on healthcare outcomes and patient safety.
“Patients relying on these devices are ultimately far less likely to experience a complicated infection, and this could be game-changing for the industry.”
The commercialisation and widespread adoption of BIOINVISIBLE wouldn’t have been possible without the concerted efforts of the Small and Mighty Group, and its subsidiary—the Industry Commercialisation Agency.
Small and Mighty’s support has enabled TekCyte to place BIOINVISIBLE in front of the right audience and raise its global profile.
Simula says the journey began several years ago, when the coating was unearthed while working with a talented team of South Australian scientists at the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre.
“We quickly realised it would be a game-changer and that it would have an enormous impact on people’s lives as it was truly the first of its kind,” he says.
“Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to grow and develop this patented technology and it has been the opportunity of a lifetime for me as I’m particularly passionate about improving the way we treat and manage medical conditions.
“That said, so many great inventions never make it to market because of a lack of support. And that’s where Small and Mighty Group and their subsidiary – the Industry Commercialisation Agency – came in.”
They saw the potential of this breakthrough and not only helped TekCyte commercialise BIOINVISIBLE, but ensure it was marketed in the right way and placed in front of the right people, and commercialised intelligently from end to end.
“In short, they’ve helped put TekCyte and even Adelaide on the global medtech map, which is an enormous feat,” he says.
“With some initial seed funding and a South Australian government grant from the Research, Commercialisation and Start-up Fund, we were able to begin the journey to prepare BIOINVISIBLE for commercial use and to attract medical device companies selling products that could benefit from this coating.”
BIOINVISIBLE has resonated positively with medical professionals, not only in Australia but also in the United States, Europe, and Asia, he says.
The scientific data and the potential to revolutionise the medical device industry have garnered significant attention.
But Simula acknowledges that the medical industry is highly competitive, and ongoing funding is essential to establish BIOINVISIBLE as the gold standard in medical implant coatings.
TekCyte is currently seeking to raise up to $2 million in funding with a pre-market valuation of approximately $5 million.
In the process, they are offering Australian investors a unique opportunity to support a life-saving technology.
Tony believes that TekCyte is poised for commercial success, setting the stage for a potential trade sale to a global medical company or even an ASX listing.
In terms of equity distribution, TekCyte aims to part with about 28 per cent of equity in the current funding round, with no single shareholder holding more than 10 per cent equity. The board and management collectively retain 12.8 per cent equity in TekCyte.
“There is the opportunity for investors to be part of an Australian technology that can quite literally save lives and bring a lot of good to the medical industry,” says Simula.
Homegrown medtech company TekCyte has developed a life-saving medical device coating (BIOINVISIBLE) that could drastically reduce soaring global rates of infection from catheters and other implanted devices. This tech has already been lauded by US medical professionals and is hitting the global stage. Australians now have a chance to invest in TekCyte – which is led by Dr Tony Simula and a highly regarded Board. Expressions of interest are now welcome via TekCyte’s commercialisation partner – the Industry Commercialisation Agency at www.industrycommercialisation.com/tekcyte
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