CDC, CERAGENIX TO BEGIN STUDY OF DEVICE COATING

Ceragenix has signed a letter of intent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study the company's antimicrobial coating in the prevention of biofilm growth on devices.

Ceragenix's cationic steroid antibiotic is meant to prevent the growth of biofilm, a slime-like multicellular bacterial colony, on devices. These infections are commonly found on catheters and vascular grafts, and have the potential to cause bloodstream infections.

According to the CDC, infections of central venous catheters account for 250,000 cases of bloodstream infections annually. Mortality for these infections range between 12 and 25 percent, and the annual cost of caring for patients with central venous catheter infections may be as high as $2.3 billion, the company added.