Giltech and B1 Medical collaborate to develop biodegradable suture
anchor
8 June 2010
Scottish companies Giltech and B1 Medical have signed an
agreement to jointly develop a pioneering suture anchor that biodegrades
in a controlled fashion.
Giltech has developed biodegradable phosphate glasses with a
range of medical applications. Its CorGlaes Pure is uniquely
formulated for each bespoke application to ensure the appropriate
dissolution profile is achieved.
B1 has a pioneering suture anchor system that enables easy single
step insertion, which it plans to develop as a complementary product
to its existing portfolio. The combination of this original design
and Giltech’s biodegradable glass would provide a much-sought after
product in the orthopaedic world — a suture anchor that degrades in
the body in a highly controlled fashion.
The collaboration will be the first for the two companies but
demonstrates the benefits of combining the skills of two different
but equally innovative companies within the Scottish Life Sciences
arena. The potential market for this product is over £100m.
Mark Wickham CEO of B1 Medical said: “I am delighted that our two
companies have come together to collaborate on the development of
this exciting new product. B1 Medical has an exclusive first look
and option agreement with the prestigious Institutions of NHS
Grampian, the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon
University on intellectual property generated in the field of
orthopaedics. The novel suture anchor system is an example of the
several innovative new orthopaedic products that B1 Medical has in
development.”
Gillian Watson, Managing Director of Giltech added: “Our
biodegradable glass has been used for many years in medical devices
and woundcare products, primarily as a system for the controlled
delivery of certain metal ions. We have explored a number of
opportunities to enter the orthopaedics market and consider the
arrangement with B1 to be the most compelling. Its novel suture
anchor design is in itself a potential market leader. We’re very
much looking forward to this collaboration and the positive results
it will generate.”