MADISON, WI - (June 25, 2009)

The National Science Foundation has awarded Nerites Corporation a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop adhesives for augmenting rotator cuff repair. Surgeons perform more than 250,000 surgeries annually to repair torn rotator cuffs, but as many as 30% of repairs fail or re-tear. The problem is not just for athletes: Workers’ Compensation payments for rotator cuff injuries are estimated at $50,000 each, contributing to rising healthcare costs.

Scientists at Nerites are developing an adhesive to help distribute load along a repair site, thereby reducing the likelihood of sutures “pulling through” the bone or tendon tissue. An effective adhesive could improve surgical success rates and speed patient rehabilitation times.

“Surgeons express frustration at the high rate of rotator cuff repair failure,” explained Laura Vollenweider, the grant’s Principal Investigator. “This grant will support our efforts to develop an adhesive technology strong enough to improve patient outcomes.”

Nerites’ Chief Executive Officer Shaun Lonergan stated: “Our adhesives address a wide variety of medical problems, and we partially rely on grants to support work in surgical areas where current outcomes are unsatisfactory. Our scientists enjoy working with a range of commercial and academic collaborators to create novel medical solutions.”