Bioactive Coatings for Reconstructive Surgery Developed in TPU Found Their Way to “Commercialization Reactor”

Post-graduates of Tomsk Polytechnic University introduced the innovative project “Hybrid Bioactive Coatings and Materials on the Basis of Calcium Phosphates, Fluorocarbon Plastics and Polymers of Organic Acids for Reconstructive Surgery ” at the business meeting “Commercialization Reactor” in Riga (Latvia). It’s an investor-seeking event. Businessmen have the opportunity to know about ready-to-use developments of scientists of Latvia and CIS countries, on the basis of which they can develop export start-ups.

During several years 30 enterprises have been established by means of “Commercialization Reactor”, 16 of which have obtained financing to the amount of 2.8 million euros. The university post-graduates also said their word arousing interest of several representatives of the world business.

Bioactive coatings for reconstructive surgery are a project of the team of the Department of Theoretical and Experimental Physics led by Associate Professor Sergey Tverdokhlebov. In order to develop biologically active materials and coatings for reconstructive surgery, scientists of TPU suggest using biologically active composites based on fluorocarbon plastics or polymers of organic acids.

These composite polymers can be used for engineering of woven materials. Bioactive coatings can be applied on metal or ceramic implants. The post-graduates’ technologies make it possible to obtain both bulk composite materials and non-woven porous matrixes. The matrixes are able to be saturated with pharmacology substances and cell materials, which enables stimulation and control of reparative osseogenesis processes.

“Our development aroused interest both of businessmen and investors”, said post-graduate Alena Malchikhina, who spoke on the project in Riga.

“Businessmen were mainly interested in implementation of our developments, their efficiency and pre-clinical studies, while investors were interested in the technical side of the developments”.

On the first day of “Reactor” scientists showed their presentations to experts in commercialization. They helped arrange the reports in a way to arouse interest of businessmen. Following the presentation of new technologies and developments there were individual meetings of scientists and businessmen, where project teams were formed. On the last day the project teams participated in an investment seminar.

“Scientists are not always talented businessmen”, said Sergey Tverdokhlebov. “However, businessmen do not have time, experience and knowledge to work in laboratories. At such events as “Commercialization Reactor” researchers have the opportunity to implement their ideas in profitable business, while businessmen have a chance to develop businesses based on knowledge and new technologies.

Projects implemented within the framework of “Commercialization Reactor” get not only investment but mentors’ recommendations, which is sometimes even more important than financial support. We expect our development to be well-known. We plan to keep contacts with foreign businessmen and developers”.

According to him, at present the scientific team of TPU cooperates with the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics (Kurgan) and PTO MEDTEKHNIKA, Ltd. However, the scientists’ plans are more ambitious, namely, to make their ideas known to foreign customers as well.

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• November
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