The goal of the AnastomoSEAL project is to develop a biomaterial for tissue engineering for the age-related colorectal cancer (CRC), aiming at increasing the quality of life of patients as well as decreasing the costs of health and long term care. CRC is the second commonest form of cancer in Europe, with an aged-standardized incidence rate of 48 cases per 100’000 in 2008 (data from European Cancer Observatory), mostly affecting elderly people. The most frequent post-operative complication of any bowel resection is the “Anastomotic Leakage” (AL) which occurs up to 21% of cases, after suturing the resected bowel extremities. The project aims to satisfy the widespread clinical need of preventing AL after CRC resection. The objective of the project is the development of a degradable biomaterial, specifically capable of promoting a safe anastomosis during the critical period of tissue healing. We propose to design an innovative biomaterial in form of patch inserted by the surgeon after the anastomotic procedure which wraps around the sutured tissue to reinforce and seal the external part of the intestine, preventing AL and inducing tissue regeneration. The biomaterial will be based on natural polysaccharides alginate and hyaluronic acid (and its butyrate ester), and it will be designed to adhere to the intestinal tissue and to remain in situ for the required time. The goal of the project is to produce a resorbable reinforcing medical device specifically designed to aid rapid sealing and healing of colon-rectal anastomoses. At present, no such specific material for clinical use is available on the market. This device has the potential to become the material of choice for a non-invasive technique and represents an opportunity for the European companies involved in the project to pursue innovation in the biomaterial market. The AnastomoSEAL Consortium involves 2 academic and 4 industrial partners, integrating the RTD chain from material design to pre-clinical testing.