Sharklet Technologies, Inc announced that it has been awarded a $168,000 SBIR grant to develop a urinary catheter with the Sharklet micro pattern. When imprinted on surfaces, the Sharklet micro pattern, modeled after the naturally occurring patterns on shark skins, inhibits bacterial growth by creating an energetically unstable environment. The grant will go towards testing the new catheter against E. coli, a bacterial common in catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and proving feasibility in manufacturing prototypes. Upon successful completion of this testing, potential exists for a Phase 2 grant to support further development. In addition to potential medical device applications, Sharklet Technologies currently offers an adhesive covering, called Sharklet SafeTouch, to be applied to various high-touch surfaces where bacteria frequently grow. Sharklet maintains research and development operations in Alachua, Florida and has commercial offices in Denver.
RockyRadar profiled Sharklet in February.
