Polyganics, a medical technology company that develops bioresorbable medical devices, has announced it has been awarded funding from the European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) by the European Union, to support clinical validation of its dura sealant patch. The grant, together with contributions from the city and province of Groningen, totals EUR 1.2 million.
The device has been developed using Polyganics' proprietary bioresorbable polymers, creating a dressing suitable for resealing the outer membrane (dura) surrounding the brain after brain surgery, minimising leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The dressing has been engineered to encourage tissue regeneration, and to degrade naturally and safely within the body over time, once the membrane has healed. Polyganics is developing its dura sealant patch under a collaboration with the Brain Technology Institute (BTI), located in Utrecht, and Syncom, a contract research organisation located in Groningen.
Following recently completed animal studies of the dura sealant patch, Polyganics is currently finalising preparations for the start of a clinical study, to demonstrate safety and performance in humans.
Rudy Mareel, CEO of Polyganics, commented: "We are hugely appreciative to the EU, as well as the city and province of Groningen for their support in progressing the device into the next phase of its development. The grant is a great recognition of the potential of this application of our synthetic polymers, and we are pleased to have benefitted from the skills and expertise of both the BTI and Syncom in its development. The work has important implications for improved recovery following brain surgery, including helping to prevent potentially fatal complications such as meningitis."
Dr Tristan van Doormaal, a neurosurgeon at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), and leader of the research project at BTI, commented: "This is a completely novel approach to reducing CSF leakage following brain surgery. The recent successful animal studies of the dura sealant patch were very promising, and we expect to see similarly positive results in humans in the clinical studies next year."
