Resorbable Antimicrobial Envelope to Prevent Infection of Implanted Cardiac Devices

PROJECT SUMMARY Infections related to the implantation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) occur in 20% of the interventions and are associated with a 2-fold increase in mortality rate. While pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis is currently used in clinical practice, targeting the infectious agents locally is recommended to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. The use of an antibacterial envelope (TYRX, Medtronic), made of a polymer mesh coated with two antibacterial agents (minocycline and rifampin), has been shown to reduce by 40% major CIED infections. Despite these positive results, the product has several drawbacks. The envelope has variable effectiveness against coagulase-negative Staphylococci and lacks effectiveness against fungi or biofilms. Moreover, several methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have developed resistance against it. Therefore, an antibacterial and antimycotic resorbable envelope that fully eradicates CIED-related infections remains an unmet clinical need. N8 Medical is developing a new bioresorbable polymeric CIED envelope that incorporates a proprietary ceragenin, a novel class of anti-infective agents that do not engender resistance. The new compound is a synthetic non-peptide compound that mimics the activity of the body’s endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and it confers efficacy against difficult to eradicate strains, such as MRSA and fungi. N8 Medical’s CIED Envelope is the first surgical envelope to prevent fungal colonization of cardiac devices while providing superior inhibition of bacterial growth. Upon implantation of the CIED within the N8 Medical device, the envelope physically secures and stabilizes the implanted pacemaker and releases the ceragenin to eliminate infection-causing pathogens during the period before being fully resorbed by the body within 8-12 weeks. This SBIR Phase II project builds on the results of a Phase I project that provided preliminary validation of the efficacy of the envelope in vitro and in vivo and confirmed its potential broader spectrum of activity compared to TYRX. The goal of this Phase II project is to perform pivotal preclinical studies required to obtain an IDE and FDA device approval through a De Novo application. The project is articulated in three aims over 2 years. First, industrial product development will improve the fabrication method to assure the commercial viability of the envelope (Aim 1). The final design will then be validated in GLP pivotal safety (Aim 2) and efficacy (Aim 3) studies. Comprehensive biocompatibility tests (including cytotoxicity, sensitization, pyrogenicity, and genotoxicity assays), and in vivo acute and sub-chronic and chronic systemic toxicity will be assessed. The high efficacy of N8 Medical’s CIED Envelope in eradicating resistant bacterial strains, fungi, and biofilms, will lead to better patient outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality, reduced infection-related complications, and reduction in the need for additional interventions.