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Semprus BioSciences
Medical Devices & Tech
one kendall square, building 1400, 1st floor
Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
phone:6170577-7755
fax:617-577-7756
Symbol Private
Founded 2007
Employees 21
www.semprusbio.com
Research Sector Medical Devices & Tech
Summary Description
Medical devices with reduced complications.
Management
David L Lucchino, CEO & Co-Founder
Dr. Christopher Loose, PhD, CTO & Co-Founder
Donald G Anderson, VP of Business Development
Laurence A Roth, VP of Product Development
Keywords
Antimicrobial, anti-thrombogenic, surface modification, infection, thrombosis, vascular access, orthopedics, Robert Langer



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Updated: May 22, 2012

Description
Semprus BioSciences is developing medical devices with reduced complications based on the first rationally designed surface technology with long-lasting activity. The company's technologies are designed to reduce patient complications and improve outcomes associated with implantable devices. The company initially targets the reduction of device-related infections and thrombus by specifically targeting the key endpoints for long-term activity by preventing protein, bacterial, and cell attachment to device surfaces in the presence of blood components. Its core non-leaching technology allows for a pipeline of follow-on products in drug delivery, site specific healing, and biosensors. Founded out of the Langer Lab at MIT, the company�s product development team includes strategic hires from Genzyme, TeleFlex/Arrow (the leading manufacturer of short-term catheters), and Medtronic. Semprus� development efforts adhere to strict standards that allow for a swift FDA pathway, a highly adaptable manufacturing process, and a low cost of goods.
Products / Services
Semprus� core value proposition is:
1. Non-leaching Semprus Surface � that provides therapeutic-like benefits with a simplified regulatory path.
2. Long term activity of the Semprus Surface � in a blood environment.
3. A scalable platform that combines its non-fouling properties with site specific drug delivery, selective agent binding, and coordinated cell responses.

Because the traditional sector lines of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, biomaterials, and chemicals are blurring, Semprus is positioned to deliver complication-free devices to the market.
Semprus Surface � pipeline of advanced products include:
� Semprus Sustain � - a non leaching single 500nm surface that provides �dual functional� properties of long term inhibition of biofilm and thrombus formation
� Semprus Burst/Sustain � - same long term �dual� non-fouling benefit that simultaneously delivers site specific drugs
� Semprus Healing/Sustain � - same long term �dual� non-fouling benefit that simultaneously enables specific cell responses and improved healing

Our first products will be chronic vascular access catheters (PICCs and dialysis catheters) incorporating our Semprus Sustain technology to simultaneously reduce both infection and thrombosis.
Technology / Differentiation
Semprus� key advantages over the competition are:
� Long-term activity vs. only week-long activity for coatings that leach from the surface
� The first single surface with dual function: preventing infection and thrombus
� Full device protection, inside and out, applicable across substrates
� Highly biocompatible with no toxicity or drug resistance
� Expandable �Pipeline� Platform � Drug Delivery and Selective Binding
Market / Customers
The company is initially targeting the USD 400M PICC market and the USD 160M dialysis catheter market for its first products. It is also launching an orthopedics initiative in conjunction with the Department of Defense.
Strategy
Pipeline FUTURE PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Besides Sustainâ?¢ Technology*, Semprus BioSciences is also developing new technologies with the versatility to address multiple products - ranging from orthopedics and hernia meshes, to cardiac rhythm management devices and several others. The company's innovations will result in high value, next-generation products that can open up new markets and enable new treatments while significantly reducing healthcare costs. A few examples of additional product applications highlighting the multiple potential benefits include: Orthopedics Infections associated with orthopedic fracture fixation devices can be quite frequent, especially in the case of dirty, open wounds as experienced in battlefield infections overseas. Therefore, Semprus BioSciences' ability to apply its new technology to titanium offers a novel approach to preventing infections associated with these chronic devices which have longer indwelling times. Although less frequent, infections associated with prosthetic orthopedic joint implants are costly, requiring device removal followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy and repeat surgeries. Hernia Meshes Mesh devices commonly used for hernia repair can be implanted in challenging operating room environments, posing a risk of post-surgical infection. As a means to preventing infection, the incorporation of Semprus' technology may directly address biofilm formation on the device surface. In addition, the development of a "double-sided" mesh with an anti-adherent surface on one side and another surface to promote surface in-growth may well provide a solution to minimizing adhesions while ensuring proper tissue in-growth with the abdominal wall. Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices (e.g., Pacemakers): Infections associated with CRM devices are similar to orthopedics in that they may require multiple surgeries and rounds of treatment to eradicate. In addition, pacemaker leads may be prone to thrombosis and excessive integration with the surrounding vessel wall, making their explantation difficult. Again, Semprus' technology offers a potential solution to several of these complications.
Revenue / Funding
In December 2008, the company completed an $8M Series A Financing co-led by 5AM Ventures and Pangaea Ventures, building on $2.5M in seed capital raised in 2007.