Corvida launches research study evaluating devices to handle hazardous drugs

Corvida Medical, a Coralville-based medical device company, is launching a research study to evaluate the safety of its products that improve safe handling of hazardous drugs.

Funded by the National Cancer Institute as part of a series of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, the aim of the study is to demonstrate improvements that Corvida Medical's new technology can provide health care workers handling chemotherapy and other drugs.

More than 5.5 million health care workers are at risk of exposure annually to hazardous pharmaceuticals during the preparation and administration of chemotherapy. Studies have shown that exposure to the drugs can cause serious health problems such as cancers, reproductive and developmental problems, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The study will evaluate Corvida Medical's closed system transfer device (CSTD) technology. The device mechanically prohibits the transfer of environmental contaminants into the system and the escape of hazardous drug or vapor concentrations outside the system.

The NCI has awarded a series of grants totaling just under $5 million in support of the company's initiatives to make cancer care safer using patented medical devices.

'The grants from the NCI will help us advance Corvida's soon-to-be-launched family of Halo brand CSTD products,” said Kent Smith, president and CEO of Corvida Medical. 'The NCI/SBIR study is a significant effort to get leading cancer institutions in the U.S. to explore applications of Halo and to demonstrate forward movement in safe handling.”

Corvida Medical is accepting applications to participate in the study. Interested applicants can find out more by visiting CorvidaMedical.com, emailing research@corvidamedical.com, or by calling 1-(800) 604-2235.