I've tried to use this using jade (pug) template:
md-item-template
  span(md-highlight-text="vm.parent.newUser") {{item.name}} {{item.surname}} <{{item.email | truncate: 42}}>
I've also tried using this:
md-item-template
  span(md-highlight-text="vm.parent.newUser") {{item.name}} {{item.surname}} <{{item.email | truncate: 42}}>
and in both cases I see < and > as text
 
    