Semprus BioSciences

About Semprus BioSciences

Semprus BioSciences was a biomedical company that developed a proprietary surface modification technology to reduce complications from implanted medical devices, such as infection and blood clots. The company was founded in 2006 as SteriCoat by David L. Lucchino and Dr. Christopher Loose, spinning out of the Langer Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The founders' backgrounds were complementary; Lucchino, with an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management, provided the business leadership, while Dr. Loose, who earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, led the technology development. Lucchino had previous experience co-founding a biotechnology investment firm and working at a venture capital fund. Dr. Loose's doctoral research under the guidance of renowned biomedical engineer Robert Langer formed the scientific basis of the company. Their business plan won entrepreneurial competitions at MIT, Harvard, and Oxford.

The company's core product was the Semprus Sustain™ Technology, a non-leaching, covalently bonded polymer surface. This technology worked by creating a dense layer of polymers that attracted water, forming a physical barrier that mimicked human cells to prevent the adhesion of microbes and proteins, thereby reducing the risk of thrombosis and infection. Unlike traditional coatings that can dissolve over time, the Semprus surface was grown from the device material itself, designed for long-term durability. The initial market focus was on vascular access catheters, with plans to expand to other devices like orthopedic implants. The company raised a total of $28.5 million in venture capital and secured over $8 million in federal funding. In June 2012, Semprus BioSciences was acquired by Teleflex Incorporated, a global provider of medical devices, for an upfront payment of $30 million with potential for an additional $50 million in milestone-based payments. Following the acquisition, Semprus's first product, a catheter using the Sustain™ technology, received FDA 510(k) clearance and the CE Mark in Europe.