Presenting Companies: Nicast Ltd.
Core Business / Technology
Nicast is a nanotechnology company, operating in the field of tissue engineering. Nicast has developed a broad IP portfolio and unique know-how focused at the fabrication and use of nanometric-scale polymer matrices, whereas the core technology is structured upon electrospinning of fibers from polymer solutions and melts. Nicast's matrices are intended to mimic biological tissue and therefore are a basis for artificial replacement organs.
Main Markets / Applications
In the field of implantable medical devices, Nicast intends to begin with a product for the peripheral vascular graft markets, to enable patients having End Stage Renal Disease have improved implantable vascular access conduit. Nicast intends to introduce a first-of-its-kind vascular graft, fabricated using the electrospinning method. Consequently, it is Nicast's belief that once this happens, it would pave the way for additional vascular applications, such as stent-graft coating, stent coating, and other applications in the field of tissue engineering and artificial biological scaffolds.
Application areas for the nano-sized structures include high performance filters, sophisticated medical textiles, scaffolds for tissue engineering (e.g. bone, skin, blood vessels, and cartilage), separators for chemical sources of current, functional coatings on flexible and hard substrates.
Main Products Marketed or Under Development
Nicast's product is a 6 mm multilayered vascular graft, made of biocompatible polymer nanofibers, intended to be used for vascular access in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Our product is designed to self-seal following needle punctures and be multi-puncture and kink-resistant. Combined with our unique EM2 (endoluminal matrix morphology) design, which promotes endothelialization of the graft, we believe this represents a breakthrough in the field of vascular access devices. Nicast intends to enter clinical studies in the EU towards Q1 2006, receive CE in Q3/4 2006 and commence sales of its first product at 2007.
In parallel with commercialization of the first product, Nicast intends to methodically explore a additional selected applications within the realm of vascular interventions, such as, artificial coronary graft, covered stents and TAA/AAA stent-grafts.
Uniqueness / Advantage over Existing Products
1) Self sealing capabilities, possible enabling early use of device
2) Potentially allowing longer graft survival
3) Potentially requiring less routine surgical interventions
Management
1) Alon Shalev, C.E.O
2) Dr. Alex Dubson, C.T.O
3) Dr. Daniel Barnea, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Website
None
| 
