Tekcyte is welcoming external investors to help take its infection fighting tech global

Tekcyte is looking to take its infection-fighting technology global, and is looking for investors to help fuel the journey.

Dr Tony Simula from Tekcyte Picture: Supplied

Adelaide life sciences company Tekcyte is on a hunt for investors to help it take its Bioinvisible technology to the world.

Bioinvisible is a hydrophilic hyperbranched polyglycerol polymer which acts as a physical barrier on devices such as catheters, orthopaedic implants and stents.

Tekcyte said that during extensive laboratory testing it has been shown to demonstrate “extreme” reduction in biofilm, which could translate to drastically reduced infection rates associated with implanted devices.

The technology was spun out of the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre based at the University of South Australia, with the project spearheaded by Tekcyte chief executive Dr Tony Simula.

Dr Simula said Bioinvisible addressed a pressing need in the medical device industry.

“The World Health Organisation has identified infection as one of their top global concerns due to the growing number of antibiotic resistant bacteria and they anticipate by 2050 there will be 10 million deaths across the planet each year if something isn’t done,” Dr Simula said.

“Tekcyte sees a real opportunity with Bioinvisible to tackle the problem of infection from devices like catheters.

“Virtually every patient admitted to a hospital will have a catheter of some description inserted into their vein.

“Some catheters like central venous catheters (CVCs) may remain in place for many weeks and, as a result, are much more prone to infection.’’

Dr Simula said in Australia alone there were about 4000 bloodstream infections from CVCs each year and 20 per cent of those patients die.

“In 2015, this cost Medicare $36m,’’ Dr Simula said.

“In the US there are around 250,000 infections annually from CVCs with similar death rates. And while there are many companies out there that have coatings to prevent biofilm, their tech relies on incorporating drugs, and this all adds to a greater risk of drug resistant bacteria.

“Bioinvisible, on the other hand, is drug-free and can be chemically bonded to the surface of many devices.”

Dr Simula said Tekcyte was looking to partner with a major medical device company, rather than, for example, develop its own Bioinvisible-coated catheter.

“This reduces time to market as our partner would only need to obtain approval of a new coating on their already approved product,’’ he said.

“This also gives those companies an opportunity to differentiate from their competitors.’’

Dr Simula and his team have been working on the technology for eight years, with Tekcyte founded in 2018.

The company is looking to raise about $2m in new capital.

Bioinvisible will also be showcased at Dusseldorf’s Medica Exhibition this November – one of the largest medical B2B trade fairs in the world with more than 4500 exhibitors.