October 1, 2007
Ablitech, Inc. has received $100,000.00 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the development of bio-transformable drug-eluting coronary stents.
The grant is due in part to “an impressive publication and patent record” of the primary investigator and “the significant impact on the US market for coronary stents,” according to the NSF reviewers.
The use of coronary stents as an alternative to coronary by-pass has grown over the last decade into a $5.5 billion US market. The current coronary stent design, essentially a hollow piece of steel, has become controversial as a number of studies have shown an increased risk of clot formation around the metal.
“The NSF funding will enable Ablitech to develop a stent which provides rigid support during the early stages of healing but then bio-transforms to closely match the physical properties and permeability of natural tissues after the artery wall has healed.”, according to Lisa Kemp, Ablitech’s Chief Science Officer. “By allowing movement and flexibility in the artery after healing, the artery’s natural cleaning mechanisms can prevent clots from occurring.”
The NSF SBIR program strongly encourages corporate-university partnerships and Ablitech’s funding is no different. “Our strong partnership with Dr. Rob Storey of USM’s Polymer Science Department is a critical factor in developing this technology” said Dr. Gregory Tregre, Ablitech’s Chief Executive Officer.
About Ablitech, Inc.
Ablitech develops and markets radical innovations for healing the human body. Ablitech was founded in 2006 by doctorial candidates from The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Polymer Science and The University of Mississippi’s Medicinal Chemistry Department as the result of a joint program to foster entrepreneurial ventures in biotechnology and medical devices.
Ablitech, Inc. is a University of Southern Mississippi MURA company headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. For further information, please contact Dr. Gregory Tregre, Chief Executive Officer.
Ablitech, Inc.
3610 Pearl Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Tel: 601-447-6095
Fax: 601-261-1319
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