Harvard licenses gel adhesive to Amend Surgical

Harvard has licensed its novel gel adhesive with potential oral surgery applications to Amend Surgical, a Florida-based medical device company.

The gel's biocompatible hydrogel-based material is flexible and strong and can bind to biological tissue in wet environments. It was created by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering as an alternative to traditional sutures.

The adhesive is flexible, strong, and stays attached to biological tissue even when wet. Image courtesy of the Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

The agreement grants Amend Surgical exclusive rights to develop the technology for oral surgery applications. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Amend Surgical eventually intends to manufacture the material at its facility in Alachua, FL. The company is currently investigating use of the gel adhesive in products that release agents during wound closure as well as in patches that can promote dentin restoration.