# Infection Fighting Polymer Strengthened Biologic Grafts for Abdominal Wall Repair

> **NIH NIH R43** · BIOAESTHETICS CORPORATION · 2022 · $258,684

## Abstract

SUMMARY
BioAesthetics is developing a novel acellular graft for improved abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR).
A hernia is a condition in which an internal organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds
it in place. More than one million hernia repair surgeries occur annually in the US, corresponding to healthcare
costs of $48 billion annually. Hernia repair is the most common operation performed by general surgeons.
Inguinal hernias – in which the lower abdominal wall is breached – are the most common type of hernias requiring
repair. AWR is typically performed for treating recurring or severe inguinal hernias. Typical challenges observed
with AWR include hernia recurrence, infections and trauma, and repair material failures. Recently, state-of-the-
art dermal substitutes have been utilized that consist of acellular biologic grafts (ABGs). ABGs are widely used
for wound repair, including AWR, but suffer from complication rates up to 40% due to infection, necrosis, and
mechanical failure. There is a significant unmet need to identify novel, innovative approaches to safely treat
patients undergoing AWR.
BioAesthetics is developing a transformative antibiotic-loaded, polymer-strengthened ABG that delivers
drugs to the surgical site during healing and provides an optimal regenerative scaffold. Our approach
and application differ from competitive products on the market and should provide superior performance for
improved patient outcomes. Our preliminary data demonstrate increased ABG mechanical strength as well as
release of a model molecule from the ABG over 2 weeks.
In this Phase I proposal, porcine ABGs will be impregnated with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) polymer
loaded with the antibiotics rifampin and minocycline. We intend to (a) demonstrate release of the antibiotics in
vitro, (b) evaluate mechanical properties of our product, and (c) assess in vivo efficacy of the product in a rodent
model of AWR. If successful, we will thus generate proof-of-concept data demonstrating that our antibiotic- and
polymer-impregnated ABGs are capable of reducing infection and promoting wound healing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10546671
- **Project number:** 1R43GM148130-01
- **Recipient organization:** BIOAESTHETICS CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas Pashos
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $258,684
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10546671

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10546671, Infection Fighting Polymer Strengthened Biologic Grafts for Abdominal Wall Repair (1R43GM148130-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10546671. Licensed CC0.

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