Novel bioadhesive for wound closure in animals or humans

El biomaterial polimérico se genera preferiblemente in situ sobre la propia herida que se quiera cerrar, adicionando simultáneamente sobre ella una solución de un dendrón y un adhesivo de cianoacrilato, de manera que, en contacto con el agua del cuerpo o la sangre, se produce la reacción de polimerización del cianoacrilato que ancla químicamente moléculas de dendrón, formándose el biomaterial polimérico correspondiente sobre la herida a cerrar o sellar. El biomaterial polimérico se va endureciendo (proceso de curado) a medida que la reacción de polimerización transcurre, quedando al final una fina capa del mismo sobre la herida o tejido en cuestión.

Los dendrones son macromoléculas tridimensionales con muchas ramificaciones regularmente ordenadas que poseen muy baja polidispersidad y alto grado de funcionalización (véase Figura 1).

Figura 1: Estructura típica del dendrón FFG3K. La referencia (1) se refiere a la base o raíz del dendrón, la (2) al núcleo y la (3) a cada ramificación.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGES

The formation of adhesive materials by cyanoacrylate polymerization to form a solid layer is known in the state of the art, but, in the present invention, the inclusion of bifunctional dendrons to cyanoacrylate-based adhesives presents important advantages:

• Increased polymerization rate in contact with a biological environment.
• Reduction of the exothermic reaction during the polymerization process of cyanoacrylates in the presence of water or blood, avoiding risks of tissue death (e.g. necrosis).
• Improvement of the reactivity of the cyanoacrylate monomers by eliminating secondary toxic compounds from their polymerisation that do not normally react with them.
• Increase in the flexibility of the polymerised adhesives, which avoids their premature detachment as time passes since their application.
• It allows aesthetic improvements (i.e. absence of scars) due to better tissue integration and re-sorption of the polymerized adhesive.
• It does not generate toxic by-products.

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGY

The polymeric biomaterial of the present invention presents rapid curing and cross-linking, moderate heat release during curing within the range that allows its compatibility with living tissues, high adhesive capacity, good flexibility adaptable to the tissue that joins, absence of toxicity and tissue regeneration properties.

CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY

This new bioadhesive has successfully passed different physical-chemical tests in the laboratory, but there are still biocompatibility tests to be carried out on living cells of both humans and animals.

APPLICATION FIELDS

The main sectors of application will be the medical and the veterinarian sector, since this invention can be very useful in the treatment and care of wounds, in the closing of wounds by accident, in medical, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, repair of broken nails, etc.

SOUGHT-AFTER COLLABORATION

The research group is looking for Biomedical / pharmaceutical companies interested in acquiring this technology for commercial exploitation through model licensing agreements.