TriboFilm Research Inc. Announces Phase 2 SBIR Grant Award from The National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44EY024461

RALEIGH, N.C. - Sept. 19, 2018 - PRLog -- TriboFilm Research Inc., a materials research company developing coatings for the medical device and pharmaceutical industry announced today the receipt of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health. The grant will be applied to further the development of the TriboLink-Si® coating technology for prefilled syringes used for ophthalmic injections. Injections for eyes must meet strict requirements set forth by the US Pharmacopoeia regarding sub-visible particulates in small volume ophthalmic containers - USP <789>.

Speaking about the SBIR grant program, Vinay Sakhrani noted that "the rigor of writing and winning an SBIR grant forces an organization to not only think through the best way to conduct the research but also the best way to commercialize it. This forces an organization to engage clients early in the research process, and actively solicit their feedback at every stage of development resulting in a better product."

TriboLink-Si®, an alternative to silicone oil, specifically for such situations, is an advanced silicone-based coating system that reduces the risk of sub-visible particles migrating into and interaction with the drug. It uses an inert, atmospheric gas plasma to immobilize medical grade silicone oil onto the syringe barrel. Because of this unique immobilization process, it limits the extractable lubricant particles that could interact with the drug product, without compromising syringe forces.

Dr. Jackson Thornton, the Principal Investigator said, "We are delighted that the National Institutes of Health has recognized the importance of developing new technologies to address particulate contamination in ophthalmic injections. We are fortunate that the industry leaders in the ophthalmic field are partnering with us to develop TriboLink-Si® in a way that incorporates their specific needs."

Silicone oil "floaters" pose a risk to patient health, and TriboLink-Si® represents a paradigm shift in the way compounding pharmacies and ophthalmologists can mitigate this risk.

About TriboFilm Research, Inc. (https://tribofilmresearch.com)

TriboFilm Research, Inc. is a specialized research consultancy and development firm based in Raleigh, NC that helps medical device R&D leaders and product managers improve patient safety, device performance, and product profitability by reducing lubricant risk.

With funding assistance from The National Institutes of Health through its Small Business Innovation Research program, TriboFilm collaborated with industry leaders to develop two alternative coatings to silicone oil: TriboGlide-DS® and TriboLink-Si®. Over the past eighteen years, we have partnered with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies in addition to early-stage medical device entrepreneurs to improve the performance of drug delivery systems using our 150+ years of combined experience in organic chemistry, surface engineering, and material science.