NanoLock Enters Agreement to License Patented Additive for Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance

HERZLIYA, Israel, July 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

NanoLock Ltd. entered this week into a license agreement with Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd. (Jerusalem, Israel), Hadassah Ein-Kerem Medical Center Jerusalem, and Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. This agreement gives NanoLock the license patents, patent applications and related know-how of anti-biofilm nanoparticles for medical devices and health consumables mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

NanoLock, a start-up company, has developed a proprietary nano-polymer additive that protects against any microbial infection which transforms regular implantable and non-implantable devices to biofilm-resistant platforms. These anti-biofilm properties reduce or eliminate device or implant-associated infection, improve clinical outcomes and increase device longevity. The nano-polymer additive's unique features are that they are activated only upon contact, and do not leak or dissolve into the surrounding environment. This makes it completely safe to patients and most importantly, the device's anti-biofilm properties are preserved indefinitely.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered to be the most urgent and important challenge of all medical fields. Dr. K. Fukuda, WHO's (World Health Organization) Assistant Director-General for Health Security stated that "Unless we take significant actions to improve efforts to prevent infections…..the implications will be devastating."^[1]

NIH (National Institutes of Health) estimates that "Infectious diseases are the second cause of death worldwide, more than13 millions deaths per year (mostly due to bacteria). More than 60% of microbial infections proceed with involvement of biofilms."

Prof. Ervin Weiss inventor and one of the developers of the nano-polymer additive technology adds, "The nano-polymer additive has a broad spectrum of antibacterial effect. It kills Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, as well as Candida species…I believe that the nano-polymer additive, which is free of toxins and heavy metals, will revolutionize medical device industry."    

NanoLock was founded by Professor Ervin Weiss (Head of Dental School, Tel Aviv University ) and Dr. Julia Rothman.

^[1] Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance Progress report  - May 2014 Recommendations for future collaboration between the US and EU http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/tatfar-progress_report_2014.pdf .

For more information contact:
Dr. Julia Rothman
drrothmanjulia@gmail.com
+972-54-5250676