# A replenishable LIS coating that eliminates occlusion and reduces infection on vascular catheters

> **NIH NIH R43** · LIQUIGLIDE, INC. · 2022 · $322,754

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) and
is associated with high mortality (12–25%) and cost ($9 billion in the US). Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is
another common complication with central venous catheters (CVCs) that contributes to 41% of premature device
removal before treatment is over. Although various coatings, including those with anti-thrombogenic or
antimicrobial agents have been applied, the safety and clinical efficacy of these coatings to reduce the rates of
CRBSI and/or CRT remains unsatisfactory, especially for extended implantation. LiquiGlide is investigating a
new coating solution to overcome the limitations. Liquid-impregnated surface (LIS) provides a non-adherent,
self-healing, and replenishable surface that other coatings cannot achieve. Formulating a LIS coating with
parenteral nutrient ingredients that have been approved by FDA for intravenous administration, confirming their
safety, we have developed a coated surface that significantly reduces thrombus formation and bacterial
colonization. When the coating is applied on a vascular catheter, the parenteral nutrients can be replenished
through the catheter lumen to increase the duration of efficacy, which is especially beneficial as occlusion and
long-term CRBSI occur predominantly through the intralumenal pathway. In preliminary studies, we
demonstrated the safety and patency of coated catheters in a swine model during an implantation with three
replenishments. The objective of this proposal is to develop the LIS coating on a peripherally inserted central
catheter (PICC) to eliminate occlusion and reduce infection in long-term implantation with a side-by-side
comparison in a same animal. To achieve the objective, we will first apply the coating on a PICC, meeting the
safety and durability requirements as a vascular implant. Then, the LIS-coated PICC will be evaluated in vitro to
assess its ability to prevent thrombosis formation (>95% reduction) and achieve 100% elimination of occlusion
(Aim 1) under simulated external flow and infusate injections. We will further demonstrate that the coated device
has a broad spectrum anti-microbial resistance (Aim 2), targeting reducing both bacterial colonization and biofilm
formation with >99% reduction with three typical microorganisms that commonly cause CRBSI. To evaluate the
safety and anti-occlusion/anti-infection efficacy in vivo, we will perform a seven-animal study with a swine model,
monitoring catheter patency and microorganism colonization on the devices during implantation and assessing
explants for thrombus formation and microbial cultures/identification (Aim 3). The proposed phase I study will
address challenges related to replenishable LIS-coated PICCs, achieving full occlusion elimination and
significant CRBSI reduction. Upon achievement of the phase I milestones, the coated PICC will be ready for the
next level of product developme...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10544076
- **Project number:** 1R43HL162196-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** LIQUIGLIDE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Zheng Zhang
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $322,754
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10544076

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10544076, A replenishable LIS coating that eliminates occlusion and reduces infection on vascular catheters (1R43HL162196-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10544076. Licensed CC0.

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