BACKGROUND

6% of medical devices responsible for nosocomial infections:

• mainly invasive medical devices

• 50% of infections linked to Gram (-) bacteria, mainly P. Aeruginosa and Acinetobacter for urinary catheters

 Strategies to prevent those infections:

• Anti-adhesive materials: low biocompatibility mainly use for topical application

• Antibiotics coated/containing materials

• Silver nanoparticles grafted materials: costly in frequent use like urinary catheters

TECHNOLOGY

Mechanism of action: Lactonase able to hydrolyze lactones molecules involved in the inter-bacteria communication and virulence factors (quorum sensing inhibition)

 Activity: Ability to inhibit biofilm formation and virulence factor production by P. aeruginosa

 Activity spectrum on Gram(-), P. Aeruginosa, Acinetobacter

 No activity loss after coating on biomaterials

 Toxicology/safety data: No toxicity observed up to 10mg/ml (rat model)

KEY BENEFITS

• Highly thermostable (Tm = 106 °C)

• Stable more than 1 year in liquid buffer at room temperature and more than 5 years after freeze-drying

• Currently the most efficient lactonase for quorum quenching  

• Stable in organic solvent (acetone) and polyurethane

APPLICATIONS

Coating or integration in the polymer formulation for:

• Invasive biomaterials (urinary catheters for e.g.)

• Surgical instruments