Technology Transfer projects scoop awards
15 December 2008
RegenTec, a biotechnology spin-off company from Nottingham University, was awarded the Orthopaedic Innovation Award at the national Medical Futures Awards for their ‘injectable bone’ scaffold, designed to help fractured bones heal.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Scientific Director at RegenTec, said, "The award is great recognition of the hard work of the RegenTec team and the superb support we have received from the Wellcome Trust.”
“The Trust's funding and translation guidance has taken the injectable bone concept to within 18 months of product launch in the US. We are now focused on raising funding for the final steps to product sales."
The liquid bone is biodegradable and exists as a paste at room temperature enabling it to be injected into bone fractures without a surgical incision. It hardens within 15 minutes at body temperature and acts as a scaffold, aiding the formation of blood vessels and bone tissue allowing the bone to grow back naturally.
Another team from Nottingham was awarded the Medical Devices prize at the National NHS Innovation Awards for their prototype surgical device that could simplify cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the world, yet the procedure itself relies on using a needle and forceps to crudely tear a circle in the lens capsule of the eye. The difficulty in keeping the tear regular and accurate remains challenging even for experienced ophthalmologists.
To address this, Mr John Stokes, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, has engaged Warwick Design Consultants to develop a disposable device featuring a standardised blade able to perform the cut safely and reliably with precision.
Funded by a Translational Award from the Wellcome Trust, the team is now looking to develop the prototype into a viable tool for use in cataract surgeries all over the world.
Image: The RegenTec team at the Medical Futures Awards; Medical Futures