Covergel, an innovative hydrogel designed for endoscopic administration, has been recognized as the best project in the third edition of the IDEA2 Global program, an international mentoring initiative developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The project was selected among 15 teams participating in the 2018 edition.
Researchers have developed a family of hydrogels aimed at addressing unmet needs in digestive endoscopy, helping to prevent complications such as perforation and bleeding following endoscopic resections.
The project is being developed by the Translational Endoscopy Research Group, part of the Digestive Endoscopy Unit at Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTP), led by Dr. Vicente Lorenzo-Zúñiga and Dr. Ramon Bartolí-Solé.
Over seven months, a group of international experts provided mentorship and guidance on scientific, economic, product, and business development aspects. This process resulted in a refined project presentation, which was ultimately evaluated by a panel of experts who selected Covergel as the best project of the edition.
“Our experience at MIT helped us redefine the project’s focus, concentrating on a single product to solve a specific problem and identifying the patient group that will benefit most,” explains Dr. Bartolí. He adds: “Above all, the program gave us new communication tools to tailor messages to different audiences, which will be invaluable in the next phase of investor engagement and product development.”
Participation in the 2018 edition was made possible through selection by the Foundation for Innovation and Health Foresight in Spain (FIPSE).
About Covergel
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose conditions within the gastrointestinal, respiratory, or urinary tract by inserting an endoscope through a natural orifice. Advances in endoscopic medicine have expanded its therapeutic applications, such as removing polyps and early-stage tumors. However, complications like perforations and bleeding remain a challenge.
Covergel is a novel hydrogel applied directly through the endoscope to mucosal lesions after an endoscopic procedure. It acts as a protective shield for the wound and promotes tissue healing. The technology has demonstrated strong healing properties in preclinical models and shows potential as a drug delivery platform for various gastrointestinal lesions.
Covergel is currently under clinical investigation and is not available for commercial use.
