Project description DEENESFRITPL A polymer-based solution for repairing fractures in osteoporotic bones Repair of bone fractures is conventionally carried out using screws and plates. However, the bones of patients with osteoporosis are very fragile, requiring alternative solutions. To improve bone implant stability, the EU-funded NAS project has developed a novel technology that assists the fixation of screws to osteoporotic bones. The technology includes an inert polymer sleeve that solidifies by ultrasound and serves as an anchorage of the screw to the native bone. Apart from offering enhanced bone stabilisation, the NAS solution is bioresorbable and does not require removal once the bone has healed. Besides orthopaedics, it can also find application in maxillofacial surgery and sports medicine. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Demographic changes in western countries are significantly increasing osteoporosis and therefore, the incidence of poor bone quality. Osteoporosis affects an estimated 75 million people in Europe, US and Japan and it has been estimated the number of osteoporotic fractures at 9 million per year whose treatment cost are currently reaching €31.7 billion (€76.7 billion in 2050) for Europe and €45.5 billion (€181.8 billion in 2050) for the US. Osteoporosis complicates the treatment of these fractures dramatically, because implants developed for good bone quality tend to fail in osteoporotic bone. The patented NEXILIS augmentation system (NAS) overcomes these challenges by applying an implantable polymeric sleeve around the original implant. By using ultrasonic energy, the polymeric sleeve is molded into the pores of the host bone forming a strong and uniform bond with the adjacent bone. The original device will be implanted in the created denser bony environment leading to enhanced immediate stability. Therefore, NAS technology will significantly improve the treatment of osteoporotic bone fractures.Initially, we aim to tackle pedicle screws in spinal surgery market due to its largely unmet medical needs and large market size (around 1 €billion) in Europe by 2020 and in the US by 2022. Nevertheless, our plan is to widespread the use of NAS technology in further market applications like maxillofacial surgery, sports medicine, trauma surgery, or orthopedic applications opening a wide range of business opportunities. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerynatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.1.2. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies Main Programme H2020-EU.2.1.5. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced manufacturing and processing H2020-EU.2.1.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced materials H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument Topic(s) SMEInst-02-2016-2017 - Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs Call for proposal H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator NEXILIS AG Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address Dammstrasse 14 2540 Grenchen Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Espace Mittelland Solothurn Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 21 429,00
