UROCOAT: a sustainable and safe urological catheter for infection prevention
Development of a novel catheter coating to prevent 50–90% of urinary tract infections
In the UROCOAT project, LipoCoat B.V. and the University of Twente are working together to develop an innovative coating for urinary catheters. This coating is designed to prevent infections without using antibiotics. The goal of this public-private partnership is to create a safe and sustainable solution ready for testing in healthcare settings.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common healthcare-related infections. They can cause pain, discomfort, and, in severe cases, life-threatening bloodstream infections (urosepsis). In Europe, CAUTIs lead to around €1 billion in extra healthcare costs each year. In the Netherlands alone, about 14,000 people are affected annually. Current solutions — such as frequent catheter replacement or antibiotics — are often ineffective and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global threat.
UROCOAT offers a new approach: a coating made from body-like lipids that prevents bacteria from attaching to the catheter surface. This coating does not rely on antibiotics and could reduce infections by 50% to 90%. It is designed to last up to 12 weeks and aims to be as smooth and comfortable as current top products.
The project focuses on developing, testing, and improving the coating in four areas: antibacterial performance, patient comfort, long-term stability, and safety. Testing will take place both in laboratory bladder models and in a small group of patients in a clinical pilot setting. If successful, the product will be ready for broader clinical use.
Key deliverables include a working prototype, safety and performance data, and a roadmap for market introduction. UROCOAT has the potential to reduce infections, improve patient outcomes, and decrease healthcare costs — all in a sustainable, antibiotic-free way.
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