# Development of SupraGuard ETT, A Next Generation Composite Endotracheal Tube for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

> **NIH NIH R43** · IASIS MOLECULAR SCIENCES, INC · 2021 · $225,135

## Abstract

Project Summary Abstract
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that preventing
ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), as opposed to treating the acquired infection, is
a critical and unmet need. To respond to this need, Iasis Molecular Sciences will leverage
strong preliminary data obtained for proprietary antimicrobial compositions (composites).
Excellent antimicrobial performance and material cytocompatibility could be beneficial in
the creation of a next generation endotracheal tube that could substantively reduce VAP.
SupraGuardTM ETT is an advanced device wholly constructed from an antimicrobial
composite designed to kill microorganisms known to cause VAP. The compositions are
effective against organisms intraluminally or those located in subglottic fluids that have
pooled above the cuff while maintaining excellent mechanical characteristics.
 The proposed research will address ETT composite formulation, composite
processing, microbial inactivation, composite biocompatibility and stability, and ETT cuff
viability. The major specific aims of the proposed research include: 1.) Finalizing
SupraGuardTM Next Generation Antimicrobial Endotracheal Tube & Cuff Materials
Development, 2.) Measure the Antibacterial & Antifungal Effectiveness of the
SupraGuardTM Composites. 3.) Evaluate the In Vitro & In Vivo Biocompatibility of
SupraGuardTM Composites. There is significant commercial potential for our product, as
the antimicrobial-coated ETT component of the ETT market was valued at $1.84B in 2018
and whereby the majority of antimicrobial ETTs are silver-coated ETTs. However, there
are no products today that possess effective antimicrobial ETT cuffs that can effectively
kill pathogens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10140172
- **Project number:** 1R43HL156363-01
- **Recipient organization:** IASIS MOLECULAR SCIENCES, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID JOHN VACHON
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $225,135
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10140172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10140172, Development of SupraGuard ETT, A Next Generation Composite Endotracheal Tube for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (1R43HL156363-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10140172. Licensed CC0.

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