August 15, 2009- BioSurfaces, Inc. was recently awarded a two year, Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant Number - 0923674).  This Phase II grant, with a total award amount of $479,601, is focused on developing a new nanofibrous biomaterial capable of directing the healing processes of native tissue at the implant site via localized delivery of selected genetic compounds.  

There continues to be an increase in vascular disease driven largely by an aging population and the increased incidence of diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis.  Using a patient’s own vein to bypass an area of diseased artery (autologous bypass) still remains the first option of care when a patient has been diagnosed with disease affecting the circulatory system. Unfortunately, this is not an option for many patients 1) who may have already utilized all existing veins for previous procedures; 2) where a vein is required for an alternative procedure for which there is no substitute, 3) where increased surgical time required to harvest vein may also increase their chances for complications and 4) in which viable veins may no longer be available due to disease progression.  Thus, development of an “off-the-shelf” novel biomaterial that would direct healing processes of native tissue at the implant site would decrease patient death and disabilities associated implantation devices such as stents and artificial blood vessels.  The annual projected market for improvement of stents alone is $3.2 billion.    

The principal investigator in charge of this program is Mr. Matthew D. Phaneuf, President and CTO at BioSurfaces, Inc. For questions or inquiries, please contact Mr. Phaneuf at: biosurfaces@verizon.net.

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