Selenium, Ltd. Receives STTR Grant From The National Institutes Of Health To Develop Antimicrobial Dental Devices And Water Lines

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Selenium, Ltd. announced the receipt of a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institutes of Health in support of the development of antimicrobial dental devices and water lines. The company's SeLECTTM technology addresses the needs of many biomedical and industrial companies for a less expensive, more effective, and safer antimicrobial or antineoplastic coating technology. Dr. Julian Spallholz and Dr. Ted Reid are Co-Chief Scientists of Selenium and both are professors at Texas Tech University. Selenium, Ltd. is funded and managed by life sciences venture firm, Emergent Technologies, Inc. (ETI).

"The grant from the National Institutes of Health is an additional validation of the importance of our chemistry in dental and medical applications," said Selenium, Ltd. Managing Director, Kris Looney. "We will use this funding to develop proofs of concept of antimicrobial coatings to reduce risk of contamination or infection in the dentist office."

Target Markets

Selenium, Ltd.'s proprietary chemistry is able to inhibit microbial growth on surfaces through a natural, safe catalytic reaction that does not leach chemicals or toxins into the surrounding environment. The company's target markets include orthodontic, ophthalmic and other medical device coatings. Medical device coatings is a $5 billion-a-year industry* and represents a significant opportunity for Selenium's antimicrobial advances.

About Selenium, Ltd.

Selenium, Ltd. was founded in 2004 based on discoveries made by Julian Spallholz, Ph.D. and Ted Reid, Ph.D. at Texas Tech University. Their work revealed that certain organo-selenium molecules are catalytic and produce super oxide radicals, resulting in a lethal, but short range toxicity to surrounding cells. Thus Selenium coated surfaces act as an impenetrable barrier to microbes and other cells, and selenium armed molecules will selectively destroy targeted cells. Selenium, Ltd. is an Emergent Technologies Inc. (ETI) portfolio company, and ETI provides all management services. For more information, visit the company website http://www.seleniumltd.com.

About Emergent Technologies, Inc.

Emergent Technologies, Inc. (ETI), founded in 1989 by Thomas A. Harlan, is a unique life sciences venture firm that forms and manages companies and funds that commercialize groundbreaking institutional and university-based technologies. ETI is a turnkey solution for converting university science into high return ventures. ETI works with regional economic development groups and universities to capitalize on the technology assets unique to their region. For more information, visit the company website http://www.etibio.com.

*BCC Research - Medical Device Coatings 2006

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