HMN 2026: How Bacteria-resistant coating on catheters reduces infection and need for antibiotics

A new study shares the results of a clinical trial into the use of a catheter coated with a bacteria-resistant material. The Camstent Coated Catheters feature a bacteria-resistant polymer coating developed by scientists at the University of Nottingham, and the results of the trial showed catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) were reduced by a third using the coated catheters and the need for antibiotics was cut by more than half when compared to those receiving standard care.

There were also benefits for long-term catheterized patients using the coated catheter, who showed no symptomatic catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), compared to 20% in the standard care (SC) group. The paper is published in the journal Antibiotics.

CAUTIs account for approximately 75% of all urinary tract infections (UTIs) acquired in hospitals. Globally, UTIs remain one of the most frequently reported health care–associated infections, with urinary catheterization identified as the principal modifiable risk factor. During hospitalization, approximately 10%–25% of patients received an indwelling urinary catheter, and about 20% of these patients developed CAUTIs.

The trial is underpinned by 2012 research from the schools of Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham that first discovered a new group of structurally related polymers that prevent infection by stopping the formation of biofilms on the surface, at the earliest possible stage.

These polymers were identified using high-throughput screening and significantly reduce the ability of bacteria like E. coli and S. aureus to attach to surfaces. Rather than killing bacteria, these materials act as a repellent to stop them from forming protective biofilm communities or bacterial “slime-cities.”

This technology, developed by Professor Morgan Alexander, Professor Derek Irvine and Professor Paul Williams, has been commercialized for urinary catheters in collaboration with Camstent.

“These clinical trials show excellent results for the coated catheters and it’s fantastic to see the research we have worked on for over a decade becoming adopted clinically,” says Professor Alexander, Professor of Biomedical Surfaces in the School of Pharmacy.

“Millions of urinary catheters are used every week around the world, and anyone who has a catheter for longer than a week is likely to get an infection. This study shows the potential difference this coated catheter could make in the fight against infection and antibiotic resistance,” says Professor Williams, School of Life Sciences.

Mark Harwood, CEO at Camstent, said, “These encouraging clinical trial results represent a significant milestone in the advancement of our technology. Building on this progress, we have now accelerated the commercialization phase in the U.K. as well as actively pursuing opportunities to broaden access across additional regions. To support this next stage of growth and meet increasing demand, we are making strategic investments in automation and expanding our production capacity. These efforts will enable us to scale efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability as adoption continues to grow.”

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University of Nottingham