World’s first bioabsorbable and infection reducing antibiotic screw, CiproScrew™, coming to operating theatres
Press release 29 October, 2010
World’s first bioabsorbable and infection-reducing antibiotic screw coming to operating theatres
The Finnish biotechnology company Bioretec Ltd. obtained the CE mark and sales permit in EU countries in September for its bioabsorbable antibiotic-releasing screw used in operating theatres. The novel implant helps reduce infections and the need for reoperations on bone fracture patients.
The antibiotic-releasing CiproScrew™ implant solves a significant medical challenge: it fixes and supports the bone during healing while precisely and safely releasing an antibiotic locally to prevent infections.
The antibiotic-releasing screw is used to treat, for example, complicated fractures, osteotomies, and arthrodeses and in the fixation of bone fractures in patients when infection is a potential risk. Advanced age and illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and alcoholism increase the risk of infection. Trauma surgery patients are particularly prone to serious infections arising from bone fracture fixation.
Turku University Hospital has conducted clinical research on the CiproScrew™ implant. Professor Hannu T. Aro of Turku University Hospital has performed ankle fracture fixations using the antibiotic-releasing screw.
“The new antibiotic-releasing screw works well in the treatment of these difficult injuries, and it is as effective as metal screws. Should the antibiotic-releasing screw prove to be as successful in broader patient studies, future patients will no longer need to take antibiotics prior to their operation,” says Professor Aro.
Developing a successful bioabsorbable product for use in an operating theatre is an ambitious project. Bioretec’s founder, Professor Pertti Törmälä, has 30 years’ experience researching bioabsorbable materials.
“We have improved our manufacturing processes and machinery over the years. Improvements enable us to successfully combine two different material components The strength properties of the new antibiotic screw are based on Bioretec`s in-house developed process to create mechanically active polymer-material. Infection prevention is based on the combined broad-spectrum ciprofloxacin. The implant degrades in a controlled manner over the course of two years, releasing the antibiotic for about six months after the surgery,” confirms Professor Pertti Törmälä.
The antibiotic screw can also help reduce costs in the health sector by preventing additional complications and renewal operations.
Bioretec will start CiproScrew™ deliveries in the beginning of December.
Bioretec is a biotechnology company based in Tampere, Finland. It investigates, develops and manufactures bioabsorbable bioactive and drug-releasing bone and tissue fixation devices used in orthopaedic and traumatology surgery. The company was founded in 2003 and today employs some 30 people in Tampere.
www.bioretec.com
www.bioretec.com/press
For additional information, please contact:
Pertti Törmälä, Professor, tel. +358 40 5146 944, pertti.tormala@bioretec.com
Hannu T. Aro, Professor, Turku University Hospital, tel. +358 40 353 7644, hannu.aro@utu.fi
Bioretec contact persons:
Pertti Viitanen, CEO, +358 400 634 580, pertti.viitanen@bioretec.com
Risto Penttilä, Chief Commercial Officer, +358 400 480 790, risto.penttila@bioretec.com
Minna Veiranto, CiproScrew Project Manager, +358 40 5103681, minna.veiranto@bioretec.com
Image inquiries and other material:
Nina Nieminen, Marketing Coordinator, +358 400 227 883, nina.nieminen@bioretec.com