Extremities

Teleflex Awarded U.S. Army Grant to Develop Anti-Biofilm Orthopedic Device

WAYNE, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Teleflex Incorporated (TFX), a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced that it has been awarded a $2.1 million research grant from the U.S. Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), located at Fort Detrick, MD. The award will support research and development of a surface-modified tibial intramedullary nail that combines the Semprus Sustain™ technology with antimicrobial technology. Up to an additional $2.46 million in funding for the project may be provided under the award, at the U.S. Army’s discretion.

The research will be conducted at Teleflex’s facilities in Cambridge, MA, in conjunction with U.S. Army Institute for Surgical Research (USAISR) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. This award builds upon an initial $1.1 million TATRC grant awarded to Semprus BioSciences in 2011 to develop the world’s first orthopedic devices designed to reduce biofilm formation.

“Teleflex is pleased to partner with the U.S. Army to develop a solution to an unmet need in orthopedic injuries affecting our wounded men and women in combat,” said Benson Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This award will help enable Teleflex to combine its proprietary Sustain surface modification and antimicrobial solutions to develop a valuable clinical solution to battleground injuries, and we are hopeful that this collaboration will yield greatly improved clinical outcomes for soldiers.”

Orthopedic injuries, common in the majority of wounded soldiers, can lead to significant morbidity and failure to return to duty. Initial stabilization with external fixators followed by delayed conversion to intramedullary (IM) nails has become the standard of care for US military personnel. Despite receiving initial treatment within minutes of being wounded and the rapid evacuation to definitive care, most open fractures test positive for multi-drug resistant bacteria due to the significant amount of soft-tissue damage inflicted by a blast injury. Highly infected wounds can lead to delayed bone union or ultimately require amputation due to infectious complications.

Advancements in the management and prevention of infections associated with orthopedic injuries has significantly improved in recent years with the routine use of debridement techniques, negative pressure wound therapy, prophylactic antibiotics, and bone stabilization. Despite these improvements, orthopedic infections of up to 30%-40% can occur in traumatic open fractures which are typically treated with fixation devices such as intramedullary nails, plates, and screws. Therefore, new strategies for preventing infection are needed such as the prevention of bacterial adherence to metal implants, which is a well-documented phenomenon and is considered to be the first step in infection. After adhering to a surface, bacteria may form a biofilm and remain virtually impervious to standard medical treatment including systemic or local antibiotic therapy or debridement.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety. Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 150 countries. Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained from the company’s website at teleflex.com.

About Semprus BioSciences

Semprus BioSciences, a biomedical company located in Cambridge, MA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated specializing in the research and development of innovative approaches to reduce medical device complications. The company’s proprietary Sustain™ Technology signifies a breakthrough in medical device technology with its highly non-fouling surface using covalently bonded polymers that coordinate water over the device surface to reduce microbial attachment. Previously a venture-backed company, Semprus was acquired by Teleflex in 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management’s current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Teleflex, Semprus BioSciences and Semprus Sustain are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates. ©2014 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-000712

This research and development project is being conducted by Semprus BioSciences and is made possible by a cooperative agreement that was awarded and administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), at Fort Detrick, MD under Contract Number: W81XWH-14-2-0015

Contact:
Teleflex Incorporated
Jake Elguicze
Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations
610-948-2836
jake.elguicze@teleflex.com
www.teleflex.com

Josh Sandberg

Josh Sandberg is the President and CEO of Ortho Spine Partners and sits on several company and industry related Boards. He also is the Creator and Editor of OrthoSpineNews.

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