On World Oral Health Day, Archangel Network recognizes the vital role of innovation in improving dental care. Mesosil, one of Archangel’s portfolio companies, is making a significant impact in this space. Mesosil is transforming the dental materials industry with its pioneering antimicrobial technology, offering long-lasting protection against infection and decay.

 

Mesosil’s Origin Story

Mesosil is an anti-infective materials company that develops specialized additives capable of slowly releasing antimicrobial molecules over extended periods. These additives can be integrated into dental materials and medical devices, significantly enhancing their longevity and effectiveness. Unlike conventional approaches that require frequent replacement or maintenance, Mesosil’s technology ensures sustained protection, potentially lasting for a patient’s lifetime.

Mesosil was founded by Dr. Cameron Stewart, whose PhD research at the University of Toronto focused on drug delivery using silica particles. Funded by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry, his research revealed a critical gap in dental treatments:

“People’s fillings often need to be replaced every five years or so, and sometimes more frequently. It also became clear that the material we designed really worked and could address these shortcomings.” 

Recognizing the potential of his technology, Stewart decided to commercialize it, leading to the birth of Mesosil:

“Since then, we’ve been able to grow, attract more customers, and develop it into a real business where we can get our solution into dentistry while also investigating other applications of our tech across medical devices.”

The Problem and Mesosil’s Solution

The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, posing a challenge for dental materials that are constantly exposed to microbial activity. Traditional solutions lack long-term effectiveness, leading to infections and material degradation. Mesosil addresses this issue by integrating antimicrobial molecules with solid silica carriers, ensuring a slow and continuous release that prevents bacterial colonization. This approach not only enhances infection prevention but also maintains the material’s physical robustness, making it ideal for fillings, implants, and bone cements.

The Significance of World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day underscores the importance of advancing dental care, an area often underfunded compared to other medical fields. Dental cavities remain the most common disease worldwide, affecting nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Mesosil is dedicated to bridging this gap by introducing innovative, science-backed solutions that elevate oral healthcare standards to match those of general medicine:

“We see a big gap in the field of dentistry—It’s traditionally not as well-funded as medicine, there’s not as much research into dental biomaterials as in medicine, and it’s sort of this space where they’ve had to make do with products and materials that aren’t as good as they could potentially be. We see this as a really big gap but also an opportunity, where if you come in with a dedicated group of scientists and professionals, and have something really innovative and new that works better than what’s out there, there’s a real opportunity to improve things.”

Key Milestones in the Past Year

2024 was a landmark year for Mesosil, marked by several major achievements:

  • Supply and Royalty Agreement: In May, Mesosil secured a supply and royalty agreement with a leading dental materials company. This partnership will bring its technology to market on a larger scale.
  • Breakthrough in Color Stability: Mesosil developed a version of its antimicrobial material that provides color stability to dental fillings—a common issue for antimicrobial materials in the industry. This innovation has drawn significant interest from other dental companies.
  • Manufacturing Expansion: The company moved into a new manufacturing facility at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. This expansion has allowed Mesosil to scale its production, meeting the growing demand for its technology.

 

Looking Ahead to 2025

Mesosil is poised for a transformative year in 2025. The company is working closely with its partner to secure FDA approval for its first product. With increasing industry commitment and accelerating product launches, Mesosil is positioned to expand its market presence and introduce new applications for its technology.

 

The Role of Early-Stage Investors

Cameron expressed to us that support from early-stage investors, including Archangel Network, has been instrumental in Mesosil’s journey. Initially a grant-funded research project at the University of Toronto, Mesosil gained industry interest in their technology and needed financial backing to transition into a viable business:

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a difficult time to fundraise, Archangel was able to rally a group of very dedicated investors around us and get us that first bit of capital which allowed us to hire our first staff members, let me work on it full time, and progress it to a point where we’ve signed a sales agreement, generated multiple pieces of IP, and are moving towards significant revenue generation.”

Conclusion

Mesosil exemplifies how cutting-edge science can revolutionize oral healthcare. By tackling the longstanding challenge of infection and material failure in dental treatments, the company is paving the way for a future where dental procedures last longer and patients experience better outcomes. On this World Oral Health Day, Mesosil’s mission aligns perfectly with the global effort to improve oral health standards, bringing us closer to a world with stronger, healthier smiles.

 

Learn more about Mesosil here!