BIOSIGNAL AWARDED $1.377 M FOR ANTI-BACTERIAL CONTACT LENSES.The Australian Government, via the AusIndustry START grant program, has awarded Biosignal Limited, Sidney, a $1.377 million grant to develop new anti-bacterial extended wear contact lenses contact lenses contact npl → verres mpl de contact contact lenses contact npl → Kontaktlinsen pl contact lenses npl using its unique furanone technology. "One of the great hurdles to extended wear of contact lenses is the potential for infections caused by bacterial colonisation of the lenses. There are currently no products on the market that address this problem," said Biosignal managing director, Michael Oredsson. "The world market for contact lenses is over US$5 billion per annum Per annum Yearly. with extended wear lenses commanding a very high growth segment which is expected to soon reach US$1 billion per annum." "Biosignal's key product development is a permanent anti-bacterial coating for contact lenses. Biosignal's furanone technology is recognised to be more advanced and closer to market than any other anti-bacterial technology in the world that does not rely on traditional bacteriocidal or growth inhibitory modes of action. This project is conducted together with Biosignal's partner, the Institute for Eye Research (IER IER Institut d'Economie Rurale IER Institute for Economic Research (Ljubljana, Slovenia) IER Institute for Employment Research IER Ion-Exchange Resin (building material) IER Initial Environmental Review ) in Sydney. The IER will provide lens testing and general development services to the START project. The START project's key activities are the following animal and human contact lens contact lens, thin plastic lens worn between the eye and eyelid that may be used instead of eyeglasses. Actors, models, and others wear them for appearance, and athletes use them for safety and convenience. trials: * Small animal trial and human trials in the first half of 2005. These trials will primarily test safety and wearer comfort. * Assuming satisfactory results, large-scale human efficacy trials involving approximately 250 volunteers will occur for at least six months starting in the second half of 2005. "All existing antibiotics and biocides are either bacteriocidal or growth inhibitory. These modes of action put strong selection pressure on bacteria to generate resistance, which makes existing antibiotics ineffective. The furanone technology does not kill bacteria but disables bacteria's ability to colonise Verb 1. colonise - settle as a colony; of countries in the developing world; "Europeans colonized Africa in the 17th century" colonize annex - take (territory) as if by conquest; "Hitler annexed Lithuania" surfaces and to express toxins. The stand-out feature of Biosignal's anti-bacterial approach is side-stepping the previously intractable problem of bacterial resistance," said Oredsson. In May, Biosignal and the Institute for Eye Research, announced successful proof-of-concept based on anti-bacterial protection of contact lenses in animal studies. Last month Biosignal announced the involvement of biomaterials specialists, the Ian Wark Research Institute, in the animal and human trial programs throughout 2005. The technology aims to prevent eye infections to the benefit of the world's 100 million contact lens wearers. Microbial microbial pertaining to or emanating from a microbe. microbial digestion the breakdown of organic material, especially feedstuffs, by microbial organisms. keratitis keratitis Inflammation of the cornea (see eye). The conjunctiva may also be inflamed (keratoconjunctivitis). Depending on the cause, including dryness of the eye (from low tear production or inability to close the eye), chemical or physical injury, or certain caused by bacteria is the most serious response seen during lens wear (1 in 1000 wearers) and can lead to vision impairment and, in serious cases, to permanent vision loss. Other more prevalent but less serious conditions include contact lens associated red eye infection (about 1 in 5 wearers) and contact lens induced peripheral ulceration ulceration /ul·cer·a·tion/ (ul?ser-a´shun) 1. the formation or development of an ulcer. 2. an ulcer. ul·cer·a·tion n. 1. Development of an ulcer. 2. . Biosignal and IER aim to have furanone-coated contact lenses on the world market from 2007. The START grant will be paid over three years commencing 1 January 2005. About AusIndustry START Grants The R&D START program provides over $700 million dollars over the next four years for companies to undertake industry R&D and related activities. The objectives of R&D START are to do the following: * Increase the number of company R&D projects with high commercial potential * Foster innovation in Australian businesses * Foster greater commercialization of outcomes from R&D projects * Foster R&D projects by companies working together or working with research institutions About Biosignal and furanone technology Biosignal listed on the ASX ASX See: Australian Stock Exchange in April 2004 to commercialize a novel anti-bacterial technology. The first applications are reducing risks of infection from contact lenses and treating aquaculture aquaculture, the raising and harvesting of fresh- and saltwater plants and animals. The most economically important form of aquaculture is fish farming, an industry that accounts for an ever increasing share of world fisheries production. equipment as an effective and environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] anti-fouling. Furanones are based on a discovery that the eastern Australian seaweed Delisea pulchra produces natural furanones that disable bacteria's ability to colonise. The fundamental problem with existing anti-bacterials, including antibiotics, is their tendency to generate bacterial resistance. Bacteria rapidly produce resistant strains when faced with strong selective pressure by killing agents or growth-inhibitory agents. Furanones lull bacteria to inaction and appear to avoid the problem of bacterial resistance. Biosignal produces synthetic furanones effective on inanimate inanimate /in·an·i·mate/ (-an´im-it) 1. without life. 2. lacking in animation. in·an·i·mate adj. surfaces such as pipes, ship hulls, membranes and medical devices; and animate surfaces such as lungs, skin and teeth. About the Institute for Eye Research: The Institute for Eye Research is one of the elite Medical Research Institute's in Australia. Located in New South Wales New South Wales, state (1991 pop. 5,164,549), 309,443 sq mi (801,457 sq km), SE Australia. It is bounded on the E by the Pacific Ocean. Sydney is the capital. The other principal urban centers are Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Lismore, Wollongong, and Broken Hill. , the Institute focuses exclusively on excellence in eye and vision research through investment in people, systems and innovation. The Institute makes significant contributions to national and international eyecare research, education and business development and is involved in a wide range of vision projects, as follows: * Management, prevention or cure of refractive errors * Management, prevention or cure of infection and inflammation of the cornea cornea: see eye. * Vision and eyecare education. For more information, visit http://www.biosignal.com.au. |
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