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| Sunday, 20 October 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Expat Fulbright scholar Down Under : Dr. P. T. Gunatillake does Lanka proud A graduate of the Peradeniya University, Dr. Gunatillake, worked as a lecturer first at the Chemistry Department and later as a Research Assistant at the CISIR. He proceeded to the City University of New York where he obtained his doctorate in Polymer Chemistry. He migrated to Australia in 1988 to join CSIRO, where he received the prestigious 'Sir Ian Mclennan Achievement for Industry Award'. Dr. Pathiraja Tilak Gunatillake's pioneering work on synthetic materials is set to improve the lives of heart disease suffers around the world. The tri-leaflet heart valve utilises Dr. Gunatillake's unique polyurethane technology and is scheduled for clinical trials in Europe next year. The story of this innovation began in 1988 when Dr. Gunatillake began research under a government grant to develop synthetic polymers for cardiac pacemakers. He worked on the project for three years to develop a family of polyurethanes that he demonstrated to be more durable and stable than conventional polyurethanes. Then under a grant from the CRC for Cardiac Technology he developed three more families of polyurethanes that were suitable for a variety of medical implants, including heart valves. The Graduate School for Biomedical Engineering at the University of NSW carried our sheep-implant experiments to evaluate the material. Existing synthetic heart valves are either mechanical or made from pig tissue. Patients with mechanical valves need to take anticoagulant drugs for the rest of their lives. The problem with the bioprosthetic valve is that it tends to calcify. The tri-leaflet valve appears to have overcome both these problems, and looks likely to last atleast a decade longer than the others. The CRC sold the technology to AorTech Biomaterials two years ago. CSIRO, a major partner in the CRC, reaped a $6.8 million return from the deal. The materials were customised for use in heart valves with AorTech's help, and a further breakthrough produced a material with excellent biostability and high mechanical endurance. The next step is to obtain regulatory approval. AorTech Managing Director Mike Skalsky said: "The worldwide heart-valve market is worth $ 1 billion a year. It's expected that this new valve will make a major impact on that market." The tri-leaflet valve is expected to have particular benefits in developing nations. While existing valves have a life of between eight and nine years, the tri-leaflet valve could last for 20 years or more. Dr. Gunatillake said: "I am told it is not uncommon in places like the Middle East for children with rheumatic fever to develop heart-valve problems. "It's quite satisfying to see this technology being developed. If AorTech wasn't doing it we would not have been able to do so." The polyurethanes Dr. Gunatillake developed are unique because of their high silicone content, and hold potential applications for many other implant devices. AorTech has used the technology to collaborate with leading vascular stent technology company Jomed to develop a vascular stent that is used to open up blocked arteries. This development is also approaching clinical trials. Mr. Skalsky said: "Dr. Gunatillake is one of those quiet achievers who is very confident, focused and likeable." Dr. Gunatillake is concentrating on new areas of research. He will use the $ 15,000 prize money from the Sir Ian McLennan award to visit overseas laboratories involved in tissue engineering. "This next generation of products can help the body to repair organs," he said. |
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