This document outlines a research project on grafting biomolecules to vascular prostheses through surface functionalization. It describes the science behind modifying prosthesis surfaces with ammonia plasma treatment to add chemical functionalities for bioconjugation of active molecules. Results showed increased nitrogen and decreased fluorine on treated surfaces. Treated prostheses exhibited reduced platelet adhesion and increased endothelial cell growth compared to commercial controls. In vivo tests in dogs showed treated prostheses remained patent after 6 months. The principal investigator considered patenting or licensing the technology and ultimately two patents were obtained, a spin-off company Materium was created, and license negotiations are underway, satisfying the university and scientists, though the scientists are tired from the process.

1. Diego Mantovani, PhD, FBSE
Lab. Biomaterials and Bioengineering
Dept of Min-Met-Materials Eng.
Research Center, CHU de Québec
Université Laval

2. www.lbb.ulaval.ca 2
Outline
Introduction
The science behind the project – case study
PI: what to do?
Absolutely patenting (fiction)
Absolutely licensing (fiction)
The real case
Side knowledge …

3. The science behind the project
Grafting biomolecules to vascular
prostheses by functionnalisation
Pascale Chevallier, Martin Castonguay, Jean-Francois Pageau, Diego Mantovani , Gaétan Laroche

4. Vascular Prostheses

5. Research Strategies
 Interfacial Problem
Blood Flow
Expected Obtained

6. Plasma RF

7. Rationale
Modification
Surface
Functionnalisation
Chemical FunctionalitiesBio-conjugation
AIM : anchoring
specifically bioactive
molecules
Under vacuum
RFGD
NH3
NH2

8. RESULTS
1000 800 600 400 200 0
Binding energy (eV)
Virgin commercial
prosthesis
Ammonia plasma
x 4
x 4
x 4
C 1s (32.8%)
F 1s (67.2%)
F KLL
F 2s
C 1s (55.4%)
N 1s (12.2%)
F 1s (28.7%)
O 1s (3.7%)
F 2s
F KLL
Ammonia plasma +
bioactive molecules
F KLL
F 1s (12.7%)O 1s (16.2%) C 1s (57.7%)
N 1s (6.7%) F 2s
Cl 2p (2.11%)

9. Results
Commercial prosthesis Treated prosthesis

10. Platelets
* 5000 * 5000
Gore Tex Treated

11. Cells
[cells] = 5*103 cells/ml during 7 days
Gore Tex Treated
* 20
* 20

12. In vivo - dogs
/ *2000
Gore Tex Treated

13. In vivo (6 mo. dogs)

14. www.lbb.ulaval.ca 14
PI – what to do?
Patent?
License?
In site development under ultra
conservative confidentiality?

15. www.lbb.ulaval.ca 15
Absolutely patenting or absolutely licensing
Why?
What?
Where?
How?
Whom?
For how long?
What?

16. www.lbb.ulaval.ca 16
(partial) Analyses and (some) criteria
Funding: governmental vs risk capital
The environment, in term of:
• Risk analysis
• Investors
Personal motivation
• Future and prospective consideration
• Personal stimuli

17. The real case …
 2 patents on the technology
 1 patent on a side technology (anti-fog!?)
 Spin-off (Materium) was created
 Licenses are under negotiation
 University is happy, especially the TTO
 Scientists also but ... tired 
D. Mantovani, 17 www.lbb.gmn.ulaval.ca