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PC Technology
PC Technology® is a proprietary platform of innovative materials incorporating phosphorylcholine (PC), a chemical that is found in the cell membrane and attributed to be one of the primary natural materials responsible for biocompatibility.
The PC group is highly polar and this enables it to tightly bind a layer of water around itself. This allows PC materials to act as natural non-stick surfaces resistant to fouling by protein deposition or bacterial adhesion. PC materials are available as coatings, bulk materials, gels and solutions that can be tailored to application needs in order to provide solutions to many biocompatibility and fouling problems. The PC materials are biomimetic, building on the body's own chemistry but are synthetic and not of animal origin. All materials are made under controlled conditions to the high levels of purity required by the customer.
In a variety of applications, PC based polymers and coating have been shown to improve the biocompatibility and performance of medical devices and materials through reduced:
- protein deposition and activation
- blood activation and thrombus formation
- bacterial adhesion and biofilm deposition
- inflammatory response
- capsule formation
PC Technology is endorsed through use by a variety of medical device companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Inc, CooperVision Inc and Sorin Group Italia.
In addition, PC Technology products have received FDA clearance for three important claims based on:
- Reduction of thrombus on PC coated cardiovascular guidewires
- Reduction of bacterial adhesion on PC coated ear implants
- Improved comfort with PC containing contact lenses for wearers who experience symptoms of dryness
In 2006 PC Technology was exclusively out-licensed by Biocomptibles to Vertellus Specialties UK Ltd (excluding certain rights already granted) in a transaction that included specific patent rights, process technology, applications, and trademarks associated with PC Technology. This was an excellent fit for Vertellus, which had already been commercially producing PC materials for a number of years and allowed the newly formed Vertellus Biomaterials division to leverage the company's manufacturing and marketing strengths.
While the main focus area for Vertellus Biomaterials continues to be medical device and drug delivery applications, Vertellus also invests in novel materials for new applications outside of healthcare.
For more information on Vertellus PC Biomaterials please contact pcinfo@vertellus.com