Fibrin is a natural biomaterial and the main structural component of blood clots. Fibrin acts as a healing matrix and promotes tissue repair while restoring tissue function. Through a natural polymerization mechanism, fibrin is formed by the conversion of a soluble precursor (fibrinogen) to a solid degradable matrix.
As a commercial product, fibrin sealants (without biologics) have been used for more than 30 years, primarily for the prevention of blood loss during a variety of surgical procedures. Based on this clinical experience, fibrin sealants are considered to be very safe with a long history of use and a well-documented safety profile.
Kuros’ key proprietary technology platform is based on the local, covalent attachment of biologics into this fibrin matrix, Kuros’ TG-Hook technology.
Kuros’ TG-Hook technology enables covalent linking of biologics, such as growth factors, to fibrin-based biomaterials, while allowing their controlled release by natural enzymes in the tissue. Using this technology, the biologics become an integral part of the biomaterial. The mechanism used for covalently linking biologics is derived from the formation of a natural blood clot, a transglutaminase (TG) enzyme called Factor XIIIa is responsible for cross-linking fibrin molecules, thereby forming a solid matrix, whose normal function is to stop blood loss. Kuros’ products employ this same mechanism to cross-link biologics into fibrin during the formation of the fibrin polymer. The TG-Hook technology is further designed such that the active domain of the biologic can be released upon cellular infiltration into the matrix.
There are several advantages to this approach.
Fibrin is a natural biomaterial and the main structural component of blood clots. Fibrin acts as a healing matrix and promotes tissue repair while restoring tissue function. Through a natural polymerization mechanism, fibrin is formed by the conversion of a soluble precursor (fibrinogen) to a solid degradable matrix.
As a commercial product, fibrin sealants (without biologics) have been used for more than 30 years, primarily for the prevention of blood loss during a variety of surgical procedures. Based on this clinical experience, fibrin sealants are considered to be very safe with a long history of use and a well-documented safety profile.
Kuros’ key proprietary technology platform is based on the local, covalent attachment of biologics into this fibrin matrix, Kuros’ TG-Hook technology.
Kuros’ TG-Hook technology enables covalent linking of biologics, such as growth factors, to fibrin-based biomaterials, while allowing their controlled release by natural enzymes in the tissue. Using this technology, the biologics become an integral part of the biomaterial. The mechanism used for covalently linking biologics is derived from the formation of a natural blood clot, a transglutaminase (TG) enzyme called Factor XIIIa is responsible for cross-linking fibrin molecules, thereby forming a solid matrix, whose normal function is to stop blood loss. Kuros’ products employ this same mechanism to cross-link biologics into fibrin during the formation of the fibrin polymer. The TG-Hook technology is further designed such that the active domain of the biologic can be released upon cellular infiltration into the matrix.
There are several advantages to this approach.