Objective
With a share of 38%, orthopaedic and traumatology (O&T) are the worldwide leading markets of implanted biomaterials, involving millions of new patients each year at an increasing trend. Infection related to implanted medical devices is directly related to bacterial capability to establish multilayered, highly structured biofilms on artificial surfaces. Bacterial infections due to implanted biomaterials represent the most devastating complication in O&T, involving millions of European citizens. Aim of the present research is to develop, validate and bring to the market a disposable coating of implanted biomaterial (Implant Disposable Antibacterial Coating, I.D.A.C.). The device, based on a novel, proprietary, resorbable hydrogel, would act as a fast resorbable local delivery carrier of antibiofilm and antibacterial compounds. The active drug (antibiofilm and antibiotic agents) will be mixed at the time of the hydrogel application, allowing the correct choice for any given patient, reducing regulatory requirements, improving storage life and versatility. In particular, I.D.A.C. will be tested as a resorbable carrier of drugs (e.g.: N-acetylcisteine and its derivatives, serratia peptidase and other peptides, etc.) already known from our studies for having excellent antibiofilm properties, while others are able to by-pass the intact biofilm barrier and kill the underlying bacteria, when locally administered. The final purpose of the present research is to set a novel approach to early control of biofilm formation,to prevent bacterial colonization of implanted material and to treat established implant-related infections and chronic wounds, without any risk of inducing new drug resistance and alter the environment. The research will be conducted under the aegis of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society and the European Hip Society, through a network of upper standard European research and clinical centers and experienced SMEs from eight Countries around Europe.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgery
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistance
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineorthopaedics
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterials
Call for proposal
FP7-HEALTH-2011-two-stage
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research projectCoordinator
38017 MEZZOLOMBARDO
Italy