The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a two-year $913,000 grant to biopharmaceutical company Selenium to support the development of antimicrobial dental devices and water lines.
The NIH approved $493,000 for the first year and $420,000 for a second year, dependent on achieving first-year objectives.
The company's Select technology addresses the need for a safer, more effective, and less costly antimicrobial or antineoplastic coating technology that can reduce risk of contamination or infection in the dentist's office, according to Selenium.
The technology is able to inhibit microbial growth on surfaces through a natural, safe catalytic reaction that does not leach chemicals or toxins into the surrounding environment, the company said.
"This grant is great validation of the importance and novelty of our technology for dental and medical applications," said Kris Looney, president of Selenium. "It will enable us to continue our work with Select technology for innovative antimicrobial coatings in dental water line tubing."
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