AntiBioCoat. Bacteria-repellent coating to mitigate infection

Fabiola Costa

INEB, Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Portugal

Chronic disease and the increasing use of medical devices have led to an increasing prevalence of infections worldwide. It is estimated that in a single day about 80,000 patients in Europe have at least one healthcare acquired infection. Healthcare-associated infections are primarily related to catheterization. Currently, these infections can only be addressed through preventive measures and the use of antibiotics, however, the increased need for catheters imposed by the ageing population and increased bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics requires new mitigation strategies.

AntiBioCoat is a highly efficient repellent coating against a wide spectrum of bacteria, specifically designed to reduce catheter-related infections. AntiBioCoat is based on a unique natural polymer, without the introduction of antibiotics or biocides, thus, unlike available existing treatments it does not promote toxicity or the development of antibiotic resistance. Catheter-related infections cause great cost to society, contribute to patient suffering, aggravate prognosis and can even lead to death. These infections cost healthcare systems around the world billions in unplanned care, increased medication and long hospital stays.