UROCOAT Receives Health~Holland MKB Call Funding

Funded through the Health~Holland MKB Call. UROCOAT is a public-private partnership between Lipocoat Group and the University of Twente, awarded in the 2025 Health~Holland MKB Call (SME Call) for Life Sciences & Health.

The problem: infections on urinary catheters

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections. According to the project description, they add roughly €1 billion in healthcare costs per year in Europe and affect about 14,000 people per year in the Netherlands. In 5–10% of cases the infection leads to a bloodstream infection. Frequent catheter replacement and antibiotics are often ineffective, and antibiotics add to antimicrobial resistance.

The approach: a LipoCoat® coating without antibiotics

UROCOAT develops a LipoCoat® coating made from lipids that resemble those of the body. The coating forms a protective layer on the catheter surface and is designed to prevent bacteria from attaching, without antibiotics. The partners aim to reduce catheter-associated infections by 50–90%. The coating is designed to last up to 12 weeks and to be as smooth and comfortable as current top products.

The project starts from an existing LipoCoat® coating at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and aims to develop it toward TRL 6. It runs for 24 months.

What UROCOAT delivers

• Development, testing and improvement of the coating in four areas: antibacterial performance, patient comfort, long-term stability and safety.
• Testing in laboratory bladder models, followed by a small clinical pilot with patients.
• A working prototype, safety and performance data, and a roadmap for market introduction.

Partners in UROCOAT

• Lipocoat Group: LipoCoat® coating technology.
• University of Twente: academic partner, with Prof. Dr. Pascal Jonkheijm.

What this means for device manufacturers

LipoCoat® is applied to existing medical devices, so a manufacturer can add a function without redesigning the device. UROCOAT builds the prototype, test data and route to the clinic for urinary catheters. Manufacturers who want to evaluate LipoCoat® on their own device can start with a feasibility study.

About the funding program

The Health~Holland MKB Call is a funding scheme for innovative research by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Life Sciences & Health. Projects are public-private partnerships between at least one SME and one research institution. Health~Holland opens MKB Calls each year, and about 50 projects nationwide received funding in the results announced in June 2025. UROCOAT fits the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) Health & Care 2024–2027. More information is available at health-holland.com.