Desmos, Baxter Sign Research Agreement.SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 3, 1997--Desmos Inc., a privately held cell and tissue enhancement company, today announced the signing of a research collaboration agreement with Baxter Healthcare Corp. The agreement is the first corporate collaboration for Desmos, which was founded in 1993. Under the new agreement, Baxter will evaluate Desmos' proprietary extracellular matrix extracellular matrix (eksˈ·tr  ·selˑ·y technology as a biocoating for epidermal EpidermalReferring to the thin outermost layer of the skin, itself made up of several layers, that covers and protects the underlying dermis (skin). Mentioned in: Antiangiogenic Therapy, Histiocytosis X epidermal attachment to percutaneous implants used in renal therapy. Baxter will fund an initial phase of research at Desmos, and has an option to negotiate a license agreement covering further development and commercialization. Additional terms were not disclosed. The new biocoating is being developed to create a biological seal around the entry site, minimizing development of infections and implant instability which can compromise effective therapy. It will be based on Desmosin(TM), a protein developed at Desmos that plays a key role in epithelial cell attachment and proliferation. Desmos technology can improve the biocompatibility biocompatibility the quality of not having toxic or injurious effects on biological systems. biocompatibility 1. The extent to which a foreign, usually implanted, material elicits an immune or other response in a recipient 2. of implantable medical devices through formation of a surface attachment platform that fosters tissue adhesion. "We are very pleased to be initiating our first corporate collaboration with Baxter, a major international medical technology company," said Richard T. Haiduck, president and chief executive officer. "We believe Desmosin will have broad applicability across many medical conditions See carpal tunnel syndrome, computer vision syndrome, dry eyes and deep vein thrombosis. requiring percutaneous device implants, including catheters and gastroenterology gastroenterology Medical specialty dealing with digestion and the digestive system. In the 17th century Jan Baptista van Helmont conducted the first scientific studies in the field; William Beaumont published his own observations in 1833. tubes. We are actively pursuing expanded applications of our proprietary technology." Desmos Inc. is a development-stage company in the emerging field of cell and tissue enhancement. Through the company's proprietary extracellular-matrix technology platform, Desmos plans to develop and market new treatments for cost-effective tissue repair and replacement. Initial applications are in periodontal disease Periodontal Disease Definition Periodontal diseases are a group of diseases that affect the tissues that support and anchor the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease results in the destruction of the gums, alveolar bone (the part of the jaws where , diabetes therapy and biocoatings. Desmos is privately held and headquartered in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. . The company has raised $6 million to date from investors including Burr, Egan, Deleage, Sanderling and Walden. -0- Note: This release moved over Business Wire Sept. 3, 1997. CONTACT: Desmos Inc. Charlotte Clark, 619/455-3968 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion