Camstent Ltd., developer of proprietary bacteriaphobic® polymer coatings for medical devices, has received promising results from the first-in-human pilot study of its CE-marked coated catheter. The study published in JU Open Plus (January 2024) found that the Bacteriphobic® coating can make urinary catheter safer and more comfortable for the patients.
Clinical evaluation in hospitalized patients further confirmed these findings: coated catheters (n=83) exhibited markedly lower biofilm biomass and mineralization compared with uncoated silicone catheters (n=78). Additionally, patients using coated catheters had reduced levels of fibrinogen in urine samples and on recovered devices, indicating a diminished inflammatory response and lower risk of biofilm development.
Mark Harwood, CEO of Camstent said: “While our catheter was approved for use in patients for its silky-smooth texture, this is the first time we have confirmed evidence that our coating acts equally well in preventing biofilm attachment in humans. The non-eluting coated catheter also has silky lubricious surface that reduces mucosal friction which minimises irritation and damage to urethral tissue during insertion and removal, leading to improved patient comfort”
This pilot study highlights the promise of polymer-coated catheters in reducing fibrinogen buildup, biofilm formation, and encrustation—key factors in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and blockages.
A larger, multicentred randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04461262) is currently well underway to assess the effectiveness of the polymer-coated catheter in reducing bacteriuria compared with uncoated catheters. The study is estimated to be completed in early 2026.
Source: Polymer-Coated Urinary Catheter Reduces Biofilm Formation and Biomineralization: A First-in-Man, Prospective Pilot Study, JU Open Plus (DOI: 10.1097/JU9.0000000000000097)
