Biomedical Materials; 3/1/2005



After seven years, the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted Biocoral Inc a company patent for its process for preparing a fibrin glue capable of coagulating by the addition of calcium ions.

The EPO granted the patent to Bio Holdings International Ltd, the company's wholly owned subsidiary, under the patent number 0850650. The patent will expire in 2017.

The fibrin glue comprises fibrinogen and at least one coagulation factor which, in aqueous solution, does not coagulate spontaneously for at least one hour at a temperature of 20[degrees]C and which is able to coagulate in less than five minutes by adding calcium ions.

The method of preparing this biological autologous surgical glue involves using a proprietary single use device that assures the purity of the product. The process also uses the patient's own blood, in a closed system, eliminating immunological problems and blood-borne disease risks.

In contrast, all surgical glues currently on the market (whether autologous or homologous) require foreign proteins such as thrombin or antifibrinolitic agents, notes the company.

Biocoral claims its product has more complete clotting and platelet factors than surgical glues derived from large plasma pools. The adhesive offers superior treatment of tissue defects, according to Biocoral, by closely reconstituting naturally occurring events during repair.

The glue also has growth factors, which have been shown to speed tissue regeneration, thereby reducing the recovery period after surgery. Advantages include enhanced plastic surgery results and improved graft take, notably in connection with the use of Biocoral implants, according to company Chairman Nasser Nassiri.

This patent will complete the protection of the product technology in Europe. In its use to date in European trials, the glue has been shown to be clinically safe and effective.

The company plans to continue with its clinical trials to examine the use of the glue for cosmetic applications.

For further information, contact: Biocoral Inc, c/o National Registered Agent Inc, 9 East Lockerman Street, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901, USA; Executive Office, 38, rue Anatole France, 92594 Levallois-Perrret, Cedex, France, tel: +33-1-47-57-98-43; fax: +33-1-47-57-98-44; E-mail: biocoralinc@biocoral.com