Focus on an EBN participant – IsoTis BV
The
biomedical company IsoTis BV, based in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, has recently
announced progress with its Biomimetic Coating Technology, including its first
clinical test, award of a CE-mark and 2 Notices of Allowance from the US Patents
& Trademarks Office. IsoTis is a leader in the field of substitution
medicine and has developed a biomimetic calcium phosphate coating technology.
The first hip prosthesis coated with the IsoTis biomimetic calcium-phosphate
layer was implanted at the Academic Hospital in Maastricht, the Netherlands
earlier this year.
IsoTis
developed the innovative coating technology in a collaborative programme that
was partly financed by Synthes-Stratec Inc., a leading global orthopaedic trauma
company based in Switzerland, with prosthetic activities in Europe. The two
companies recently received the CE mark, enabling the company to market and
commercialise the coating as a medical device within the European Union.
Additionally,
the company announced that it has received two Notices of Allowance for its
biomimetic coating from the US Patent Office (USPTO). The first Notice refers to
the use of the company’s biomimetic coating on orthopaedic devices to enhance
the in-growth of bone and to improve the speed of fixation of the implant.
The second Notice IsoTis received protects the biomimetic coating process
when it is used for the incorporation and controlled release of biologically
active agents. Following these
Notices of Allowance, the USPTO is expected to issue the patents for these
applications before the end of this year. IsoTis currently has 13 patents issued
and 58 patents pending.
IsoTis
produces its calcium phosphate coating at body temperature, using a simulated
body fluid in which the implants are submerged. This method allows even irregular structures to be completely
coated. An additional advantage of
this biomimetic coating is its application as a drug delivery device, allowing
for the controlled release of antibiotics and Bone Morphogenic Proteins, which
stimulate the formation of new bone. Several
groups, including the research teams at IsoTis, are currently studying their
effectiveness.
IsoTis
was founded in 1996 by Professors Clemens van Blitterswijk and Klaas de Groot
and currently employs over 85 people. The company completed a USD 19
million private placement in June 1999, bringing the total amount of equity
raised to date to USD 28 million. IsoTis’ investors include Atlas Venture, 3i
Group, GIMV, ABN AMRO, Alpinvest, Chase Capital and Trust Capital. Recent
completion of pilot plants for its biomaterials and tissue engineering products
has accelerated the development programme.
IsoTis
is co-ordinator of the IsoBone project, which received a ECU 4.2 million grant
in the Brite-EuRam III program and is a member of the European Biomaterials
Network. For further information
contact Luc Sterkman, VP Business Development, public.relations@isotis.com,
Tel: +31 30 229 5 229 fax: +31 30 228 0 255.
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