Angiotech Pharmaceuticals has launched a pivotal study examining an antimicrobial central venous catheter (CVC). The multicenter study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of a CVC coated with the drug 5-Flourouracil (5-FU), a non-traditional anti-infective agent. The study will involve approximately 600 patients at 20 centers in the U.S.

Central venous catheters are usually inserted into critically ill patients for extended periods of time to administer fluids, drugs, and nutrition, as well as facilitate frequent blood draws. One of the complications associated with CVC implantation is infection, which can occur when bacteria contaminate the catheter. CVC infections that progress to bloodstream infections, or septicemia, can become life threatening. Approximately 3.5 million CVC catheters are used in the U.S. annually leading to approximately 250,000 CVC-related infections and an estimated 40,000 deaths.

"We are excited to be participating in a study addressing such a pervasive and critical issue," said Jorge Reyno, an infectious disease specialist at Rapid City Regional Hospital in South Dakota, where the first patient was recently enrolled. "Hospital-based infections, which include CVC infections, are a vexing and potentially lethal problem that demands a better solution."