NEWS

Aegis Biosciences Advances Healing Technologies

Aegis Biosciences, a developer of biomaterial drug delivery and wound healing technologies, has moved its R&D component from the Greater Los Angeles area to SIRTI as a base for the development of chronic wound dressing technologies.

Currently, most chronic wounds are treated with a variety of customary wound dressings and antibiotic ointments. Noting little improvement over the last decade in this treatment, Aegis Biosciences intends to improve the standard and shorten the long recoveries that some patients with chronic wounds face through the development of new wound dressings.

David Vachon, Ph.D., one of the company’s three partners, has made the move to SIRTI to carry on the research and development of a new polymer dressing. Aegis’ R&D will focus on biomaterial drug delivery and wound healing technologies with the hopes of advancing methods to help heal pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and leg ulcers related to venous insufficiency.

The technology of Aegis’ proprietary hydrogel polymer has the potential for pharmaceutical and medical device applications. Vachon hopes that Aegis’ proprietary wound dressing will make an appearance on the market by 2006 pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

Aegis’ decision to make the move to Spokane and lease wet lab space from SIRTI was accomplished through a joint effort between the Economic Development Council, INTEC, Connect NorthWest, and SIRTI. Vachon credited the community’s support as being an integral part of the decision to relocate to Spokane instead of other contending cities.

“There was a definite interest that was apparent,” Vachon said, “and that enthusiasm made us feel wanted here.”

(Taken from the SIRTI Spotlight Spring 2005 Edition)