Teijin & KAKETSUKEN to Develop KTF-374, a Sheet-type Fibrin Sealant for Surgical Operations

Teijin Pharma Limited , the core company of the Teijin Group’s medical and pharmaceutical business, announced a joint project with the Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute (KAKETSUKEN) to develop a sheet-type fibrin sealant, KTF-374, that is expected to offer high-performance hemostatic and tissue-sealing functions for surgical operations.

The joint-development project combines KAKETSUKEN’s recombinant thrombin and fibrinogen know-how with the Teijin Group’s high-performance fiber and pharmaceutical technologies, with the aim of creating the world’s first recombinant fibrin sealant on electrospun fiber sheet.

Preliminary tests have shown that KTF-374 achieves an immediate and strong hemostatic effect, including on convexo-concave surfaces, thanks to its thin, flexible nonwoven structure. KTF-374 is bio-absorbable, so it will not need to be removed from the body after use.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has selected the development project named “Manufacturing of Novel Sheet-type Biopharmaceutical, KTF-374, using Electrospinning Technology,” for support under the Program for Accelerating Discontinuous Innovation of Advanced Technologies in Practice FY2014, which is expected to accelerate the development. Clinical development is initially being planned in Japan, but based on the results, development activities in other countries may be launched.

The project falls under the Teijin Group’s strategy to integrate materials and healthcare technologies to create new healthcare businesses over the medium to long term.

The number of surgical operations is increasing due to population aging and advances in diagnostic technologies. Prompt hemostasis can significantly contribute to the success of an operation and improvement of patient prognosis, so a high-performance, easy-use hemostat sheet is expected to enjoy strong demand from the medical field.

About the Teijin Group

Teijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibers, suc