RUA Life Sciences makes progress with heart valve leaflet composite

The AIM-traded firm said its RUA Structural Heart division was on a mission to evaluate heart valve leaflet materials and compare the performance of 100% polymeric valves with their novel composite material.

Computational modelling at the design stage indicated that the mechanical properties of the composite would be well-suited for heart valve leaflets.

RUA said it conducted rigorous testing, with the composite showing remarkable flex fatigue stability, enduring over 400 million cycles.

The composite displayed impressive durability as a heart valve leaflet, withstanding over 200 million cycles.

It exhibited exceptional tensile strength properties, surpassing base fabric and polymer materials, and demonstrated consistent tensile strength in multiple directions.

The board said the material's high flexibility enhanced valve efficiency, while its narrow crimping profile offered advantages in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

Moreover, it retained important blood-contacting properties, such as resistance to calcification and thrombogenicity.

The material remained stable throughout testing, with no delamination observed, demonstrating high tear resistance.

Following the test results, RUA said it had started seeking patent protection for the composite material.

At the same time, the company said it was actively pursuing opportunities to commercialise the RUA composite as a viable alternative to animal tissue currently used in heart valve manufacturing.

The board said the industry's response to the innovative material was positive, with RUA previously announcing that a significant heart valve company had expressed interest.

That company had entered into a material testing agreement with RUA to evaluate the composite's potential further.

"Combining RUA's expertise in implantable textile materials with the clinically proven properties of ElastEon has created a novel material that appears to meet the key properties required of heart valve leaflets and it is pleasing that the business is now transitioning from a research and development phase into early stages of commercialisation," said chairman Bill Brown.

At 1205 GMT, shares in RUA Life Sciences were down 2.39% at 10.01p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.