Bioabsorbable and Bioactive Supramolecular Polymers for Biomedical Implants targeting Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Intracranial Aneurysms

15-02-2017

An international consortium comprising academic hospitals, universities, research centers, and industrial partners, including SupraPolix, has today in Barcelona concluded a 4-years project targeting bioabsorbable implants for urologic and embolic conditions. More specifically, bioabsorbable meshes for pelvic organ prolapse and polymeric coils for intracranial aneurysms have been targeted.

bioabsorble and elastomeric mesh e-spun from supramolecular polymers with SupraBâ„¢

In model studies, the supramolecular polymers based on SupraBâ„¢ have shown to be able to provide the critically needed mechanical strength for implantable meshes used in pelvic organ prolapse repair. Moreover, the specific open microstructure of these meshes as obtained by electrospinning, facilitated tissue repair, accompanied by controlled bioabsorption of the polymeric scaffold. Thereby opening the way to reduce graft related complication currently observed in the clinically used non-degradable polymer meshes. Additionally, comprehensive studies confirmed the biomechanical compliance, biocompatibility and tunable bioabsorption of these supramolecular polymers and their compatibility with gamma and e-beam sterilization techniques. Finally, in vivo studies have also confirmed the possibility to introduce specific bioactivity to these materials via the modular mix-and-match approach originating from the Dankers group at the Eindhoven University. In this way, peptide-based cues could easily be introduced to the polymeric scaffold.

In this consortium, SupraPolix has teamed up with University Hospital Leuven, Coloplast, LifeTec Group, Eurecat, Neos Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Lodz University, and Eindhoven University.