3-D Matrix Limited
A Revolutionary Discovery to Aid Invasive Surgery

It is an indisputable fact that the applications of technology in the medical field have been one of mankind’s greatest achievements since Fleming’s discovery of the wonder drug: penicillin. With scientific breakthroughs occurring in the realms of engineering and robotics, healthcare professionals worldwide have found inventive ways to leverage these new advancements to deliver the best care services possible. Dr. Shuguang Zhang is one such individual who utilised the technology in the laboratories at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to unearth a revolutionary behaviourism of peptides in the presence of particular salts—self-assembling peptides—in the 1990s. The implications of this discovery were far reaching, as these self-assembling peptides have since been used for tissue regeneration and surgery all over the world with potential as a drug delivery system. Under the banner of 3-D Matrix Limited, this discovery first made its way into clinical trials and operation theatres as a synthetic haemostatic material, in the form of a prefilled syringe, called PuraStat®.

3-D Matrix was originally established in Boston, Massachusetts as 3-D Matrix Inc, where the facility focused on advancing the ambitious product development programme of PuraStat. However, shortly afterwards, Japan founded 3-D Matrix Limited and acquired 3-D Matrix Inc, receiving license to explore new applications for the product pipeline and develop the business into a medical technology solutions provider in the global healthcare marketplace. “Our company, 3-D Matrix, has witnessed many organisational changes since 2001, and has continually expanded the indications of PuraStat to use in many different surgical areas,” expresses Takao Miki, Managing Director of EMEA at 3-D Matrix.

The company’s flagship offering, PuraStat, consists of synthetic peptides in an aqueous solution, sterilized by aseptic filtration.

Contact between the product and liquids with a physiological pH, such as blood, causes the acidic peptide solution to be neutralized and, as a result, the peptide molecules assemble themselves into a network of nanofibers that mimic the structure of a human cellular matrix. The peptide hydrogel achieves effective haemostasis by creating a physical barrier at the point of bleeding, causing blood coagulation and preventing unnecessary blood loss. “Besides being a ready-to-use haemostatic agent, our product is the first haemostat that reduces delayed bleeding following colonic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and is explicitly associated (for example, by our clearance in the US by the FDA) with wound healing.” adds Miki.

With emphasis on GI endoscopic, cardiac, laparoscopic, ears, nose, and throat (ENT), and robotic surgeries, 3-D Matrix is making great strides in American and European healthcare markets with its revolutionary product. “GI endoscopy is our specialty as PuraStat drives extremely desirable outcomes. Nurses feel a higher level of satisfaction when using our product, as our prefilled syringes ensure minimal preparation and minimal time is needed,” states Miki. Having been granted the CE mark certificate in Europe, PuraStat’s capabilities in an operating room have not only helped surgeons manage bleeding effectively but also streamlined other surgical processes. “Doctors have found more advantageous properties of our product, especially during surgeries,” adds Miki. As PuraStat is a clear material, it does not block a surgeon’s field of view, which is particularly important during endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures. Owing to its fluidic nature, surgeons may leverage PuraStat to reach delicate and difficult areas, where it can flow into tiny niches and spread well over the irregular surfaces of various organs. Moreover, PuraStat’s nature as an aqueous hydrogel makes the product easy to use.

3-D Matrix has overcome several years of regulatory challenges since the discovery of the self-assembling peptides in the early 90s. Today, the company offers the healthcare market an incredibly transformative product that promises the best surgical outcomes for all parties involved. There is still a lot of potential for self-assembling peptide technology that the company is exploring, including siRNA drug delivery systems for cancer treatment and tissue regenerative capabilities for bone, cartilage, myocardium, and neurons. Moving forward, 3-D Matrix intends to obtain regulatory clearances for global distribution across the world to help providers deliver the highest level of patient care in the medical realm.