Novel Polymer-Free Coatings for Stents allowing Slow and Constant Drug Release

Our Innovation:

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are widely used in intravascular intervention.

The current technology is based on crystallization of drug onto stent surface (with no- polymer) Coating process is resulting in high yield coatings that constantly release the drug for weeks. 

Highlights:

• There is no need for a polymer carrier, it is only the drug and a top this coating of hyaluronic acid for better sliding the stents in blood vessels and keeping the crystals onto the stent during instillation. The method of the crystallization enables uniform and reproducible coating.
• The coating can be a mix of amorphous and crystalline drug to obtain different release profiles.
• The technology also enables the stabilization of the crystals by making a thin top coating of a fast dissolving polysaccharide that keeps the crystals onto the surface during shipment and installation.
• This technology allows localized release of an effective drug, sirolimus, from the metallic stent during the required period for reducing the risk of restenosis, leaving the original metallic stent surface thereafter. This technology overcomes problems associated with the polymer based drug eluting stents. 
• The coating is generated by crystalline form of the drug that releases the active material in a control manner.

Patent Status

Granted US 10,137,225