Alafair Biosciences, an Austin-based medical device company specialising in advanced biopolymer technologies for surgical soft-tissue protection, has launched VersaCoat Flowable Hydrogel, a new bioresorbable solution designed to support healing and reduce postoperative soft-tissue tethering.
The product — available as VersaCoat Tendon Protector and VersaCoat Nerve Protector — is made from naturally derived hyaluronic acid and alginate and is engineered for precise delivery in anatomically complex procedures.
Once applied, VersaCoat forms a conformable, tissue-adherent hydrogel layer that remains in place and creates a non-constricting gliding interface between adjacent tissue planes, helping reduce postoperative soft tissue tethering while supporting natural healing and mobility.
VersaCoat brings Alafair’s proprietary VersaCore Hydrogel Technology into a syringe-deliverable format, making it easier to access delicate and difficult-to-access anatomy with minimal tissue manipulation.
According to the company, the hydrogel is intended to reduce postoperative soft-tissue tethering across procedures involving tendons, ligaments, skeletal muscle, peripheral nerves and the neural environment.
VersaCoat builds upon the proven clinical foundation established by VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet, expanding the platform’s utility to include flowable application for use on hard-to-reach anatomy with minimal mechanical manipulation of tissue.
The company said VersaCoat Flowable Hydrogel follows the strong market uptake of VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet, which has been used in more than 40,000 implants across multiple specialties and healthcare systems.
Chris Sorensen, chief marketing officer at Alafair Biosciences, said, “VersaCoat Flowable Hydrogel extends our differentiated approach to preventing postoperative soft-tissue tethering into an easy-to-use, collagen-free, and dye-free flowable format. Early commercial experience with VersaCoat exceeded our expectations, fuelling momentum to scale adoption across a broader range of procedures.”
By expanding soft-tissue protection beyond traditional sheet formats, VersaCoat offers surgeons an effective option for anatomically complex surgical sites where accurate placement is critical.
Christopher Gross, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, said the new format expands possibilities for soft-tissue management in complex cases.
“I’ve had positive experiences with VersaWrap and have seen how effective soft-tissue protection can support more predictable recovery for my patients. VersaCoat adds the ability to bring better outcomes into cases where a sheet isn’t practical because of the anatomy or the amount of dissection required. VersaCoat gives me the freedom to address soft tissues that are layered, confined, or approximated,” he added.
VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet
VersaWrap Hydrogel Sheet, also based on the VersaCore Hydrogel Platform, provides a conformable, non-constricting gliding layer in tendon and peripheral nerve procedures.
Designed for sutureless application, it forms an ultrathin, uniform, tissue-adherent interface between adjacent tissue planes, helping maintain mobility during the early stages of healing.
Its sheet format enables quick and easy placement on exposed anatomy in tendon, peripheral nerve, ligament and skeletal muscle procedures. VersaWrap’s tissue-free composition avoids the variability associated with human- or animal-derived implants and can be placed adjacent to hardware and grafts where tissue gliding protection is required.
