IIT Roorkee Teams Up with Univlabs Technologies to Advance Urology Medical Devices

IIT Roorkee and UnivLabs Technologies have entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement and an MOA to apply research findings to practical uses. Know details here 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and UnivLabs Technologies Private Limited, India, have signed a Technology Transfer Agreement and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to convert research into practical applications. This collaboration boosts the prospects for the development and commercialisation of a technology created by IIT Roorkee researchers and UnivLabs. The technology, named “A biodegradable polymeric composite with enzymatic degradation for ureteral stent and its methods of preparation,” focuses on medical advancements.

This patented technology is based on Ureteral stents, which are often used to maintain fluid drainage from the kidney to the bladder when the ureter is obstructed due to many clinical reasons, such as kidney stones, tumours, blood clots and post-operative swelling and infection. They are required to be in place for a maximum of four months in general. However, the currently used non-degradable stents require surgical removal and are frequently linked to discomfort, pain, urinary tract infections, stent migration, fragmentation, and notably, sedimentation or encrustation.

Available clinical stents are made up of silicone and polyurethane polymer. A team of researchers Prof. Debrupa Lahiri, Prof. Partha Roy, Ms. Gunjan Kaushik from IITR and Dr. Anil Mandhani from Univ Labs and Fortis, Gurgaon have developed materials for a total biodegradable stent with required degradation profile and mechanical integrity for an ideal ureteral stent.

Speaking about the technology, Dr Anil Mandhani, Director, UnivLabs Technologies, said, “the development of a total biodegradable ureteral stent addresses several key challenges associated with conventional stents, offering significant benefits in terms of patient comfort, reduced complications, and improved clinical outcomes. With a focus on excellence and a commitment to transforming healthcare, both IIT Roorkee and UnivLabs Technologies Private Ltd. are poised to make significant contributions to the advancement of medical science and patient care.”

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, of IIT Roorkee, highlighted “Research is a catalyst for positive change, driving progress and shaping the trajectory of human civilization. Its impact extends far beyond academia, touching every aspect of society and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. We believe that, the innovation of biodegradable ureteral stents holds great promise for advancing healthcare practices in urology. It represents a promising advancement that underscores the importance of research and collaboration in driving innovation in healthcare.”

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