—One Biomaterial Composition Won’t Work For All Applications “Changes in tissue microenvironment with disease state affect biomaterial performance” Tissue microenvironment affects the performance of implanted biomaterials, suggesting that one implant composition won’t work for all applications, according to a report in Science Translational Medicine (2015, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa1616). Natalie Artzi of MIT and Harvard Medical School and coworkers assessed interactions between an adhesive biomaterial and healthy or diseased colon tissue. The biomaterial is a hydrogel formed from the reaction of dendrimer amines and dextran aldehyde. It functions as an adhesive by reacting with amines in proteins on tissue surfaces.
by Celia Henry Arnaud | February 02, 2015
—ACS Launches New Journal On Biomaterials “Publication will focus on study of materials that interact with biological systems” The American Chemical Society plans to begin publishing a new journal, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, with the first full issue due for release in January 2015. David L.
by Susan J. Ainsworth | August 01, 2014
—Paper Maker Plans Biomaterials Lab “” Stora Enso, a Finnish pulp and paper maker, plans to open an innovation center in Stockholm, Sweden, early next year for developing processes to make biochemicals. The center initially will employ up to 60 people drawn from the firm’s employees in Finland, Germany, and Sweden.
by Alex Scott | December 15, 2014
—Novartis and Harvard form biomaterials pact “” Novartis is turning to biodegradable drug-delivery materials to boost its cancer vaccine programs. The Swiss company will work with implantable or injectable materials for cancer immunotherapy developed by scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute.
by Ryan Cross | March 26, 2018
—Polymer Technology Boosts Biomaterials “” Credit: Polymer Technology Polymer Technology Group has tripled its R&D and manufacturing capacity in the Temescal Business Park in Berkeley, Calif. The company says the move makes it one of the largest biomaterials providers in the medical device industry.
September 10, 2007
—DuPont biomaterial business emerges as the new firm Covation “Now part of China’s Huafon Group, company seeks to expand in biobased products” In October 2020, DuPont announced that it had signed a deal to sell its biomaterial business to an undisclosed buyer for $240 million. Now, more than 18 months later, the deal has closed, and the buyer has finally been revealed as Huafon Group, a Chinese firm that is one of the world’s largest producers of spandex fiber. The former DuPont business has a new name, Covation Biomaterials, and a new CEO, longtime DuPont executive Michael Saltzberg. He says Huafon is going to pursue the growth projects that DuPont decided against after a strategy change in 2016. Covation’s main operations are a 50% share in a biobased propanediol plant in Loudon, Tennessee, and a Kinston, North Carolina, facility that produces Sorona, a high-end polyester fiber made from propanediol and purified terephthalic acid (PTA).
by Michael McCoy | June 02, 2022
—Biomaterials coax immune cells to help heal damaged tissue “Findings in mice could lead to therapies that regenerate tissue after injuries” When bioengineers develop materials for medical implants, they often look for ways to avoid sparking an immune response that could lead to inflammation and formation of scar tissue. But a study in Science reports that certain immune cells can promote healing in response to some biomaterials (2016, DOI: 10.1126/science.aad9272). The findings could lead to biomaterial-based therapies that regenerate tissue after injuries or infections. “It’s almost the opposite of what you’d expect,” says Stephen F.
by Michael Torrice | April 21, 2016
—Energy Department Funds Biomaterials “” The Department of Energy has pledged up to $13.4 million to five organizations seeking to convert biomass into useful materials. NatureWorks and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will get up to $2.5 million apiece to develop routes that convert biogas into lactic acid and muconic acid, respectively.
by Michael McCoy | October 20, 2014