MIV targets stent, implant markets with alternative, non-polymer coating

By Angela McDaniels

Seattle, Dec. 1 - MIV Therapeutics Inc. said the preliminary evaluation of its polymer-free drug eluting technology demonstrate the coatings' suitability for drug-delivery purposes in stents and implantable medical devices.

"The superb biocompatibility and safety of our proprietary coatings, complemented with the extremely promising characteristics of our drug-delivery solutions, are designed to directly target the weaknesses of present drug-delivery technologies used in cardiovascular stents and other medical devices," said Alan Lindsay, MIV chairman and chief executive officer, in a company news release.

"We are very pleased with preliminary evaluation results of these breakthrough technologies, which have generated considerable interest and appreciation throughout our industry."

Under the company's research program, MIV combined a micro-thin film of porous calcium phosphates with a layer of ultra-thin Hydroxyapatite. Used as a vehicle for drug-delivery purposes, this non-polymer alternative should eliminate problems associated with polymer-based coatings now in use, the company said.

MIV and its strategic research partner, the University of British Columbia, presented the findings at the 2005 Materials and Processes for Medical Devices Conference on Nov. 16 in Boston.

As a result of the encouraging research findings, MIV's research and development program is roughly six months ahead of schedule, the company said.

A recently completed animal trial at the Methodist Hospital in Houston confirmed the biocompatibility and safety of MIV's ultra-thin films used as a surface modification for metallic implants, the company said.

The worldwide stent market is $6 billion annually and the implantable medical devices market may grow to $100 billion or more in coming years, the company said.

MIV is based in Vancouver, B.C., and develops biocompatible coatings and advanced drug-delivery systems.

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