SurModics Inc (SRDX)

[aslan2772]

Re: PEG conformal coating patents/Novocell

There could be some IP overlap between SRDX and Novocell, and it sounds like a collaborative effort, but the Novocell patent you referenced looks like a method applicable to islet cells that are already encapsulated (claim 1), to enhance biocompatibility by taking microencapsulated islet cells and adding another polymer layer on top.

Surmodics specifically mentions PEG in their 6007833 patent (1998). I believe BSI Corporation (Surmodics former name) also had at least one patent covering some aspects of photopolymerizable PEG matricies.

In any case, Surmodics clearly believes the Novocell polymer coating utilizes their CELLabration technology, which they describe as a "polymeric system". As Bridge pointed out, this was specifically addressed in a conference call, which I also remember. Furthermore, a footnote on the page I referenced in my last post is perhaps most informative:

"*Encapsulated islet cells incorporate technology from Novocell, Inc. and SurModics. Islet cell encapsulation is exclusively licensed to Novocell." -- IMHO an exclusive licence to Novocell should garner a decent royalty, but one never knows for sure.