[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline 30 March 2021]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “A Bioadhesive, Mechanically Robust and Injectable Hydrogel for Biomedical Applications” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor BIAN Liming, Department of Biomedical Engineering of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 14/ENG/588).
The Technology
Hydrogels have been widely used as biomaterial carriers in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, conventional hydrogels are weak in mechanical property, not capable of self-healing after fragmentation, difficult to inject, not able to conform to irregular geometry, and not able to deliver non-water soluble drugs. We have developed a series of mechanically resilient, biocompatible, self-healing, and injectable hydrogels, which can be used to deliver therapeutic cells and non-water soluble small molecular drugs. The novelty of these hydrogels lies in three aspects. Firstly, compared to the conventional physically crosslinked hydrogels, the developed hydrogels possess significantly improved mechanical properties. Secondly, the hydrogel proposed possesses properties such biocompatibility, self-healing, moldability, and easy injectability, which are desirable for biomedical applications. Lastly, our hydrogels can be used as carriers to simultaneously deliver mesenchymal stem cells and small molecule drugs. These hydrogels can be used in minimal invasive therapies for repairing other connective tissues including cartilage, bone, ligaments, meniscus and intervertebral disc.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.
