aPiC HeaLtH ABIA – CE PoliMaT Innovation Collaboration on health
aBia Ce PoLiMat innoVation CoLL aBoration (aPiC) BIoMATErIAl BAsED CoMMErCIAl ThErAPIEs In orThoPEDICs, WounDs, Burns AnD TIssuE EngInEErIng The intent of the partnership between the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) and the Center of Excellence for Polymer Materials and Technologies (CE PoliMaT), is to merge their competencies on specific research and development projects, with a focus on the use of biomaterials to develop novel healthcare applications in the areas of:
with chronic non-healing wounds over that same period. Correspondingly, with a growing senior population, it is also probable that there will be an escalation in the amount of venous leg ulcerations, surgical wounds, traumatic and immobilityassociated wounds that will be at risk for nonhealing. Non-healing wounds are related to many other life threatening consequences and complications, resulting in significant increase in medical costs for the patient and the overall healthcare system. An ideal wound healing material would have the ability to simultaneously present multiple biological
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Wound healing
cues like that in natural materials, while having the
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Burns
manufacturing and controllable physical properties
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Orthopedics.
of synthetic materials.
More specifically APIC leverages the strengths of both partners in order to build an effective collaboration aimed at commercialization of novel medical technologies and improved patient care that will lead to economic development and job creation in both Akron and Slovenia.
orthopedics More than one million patients per year need to be treated for skeletal disorders. Although metal implants are viewed as the state of the art technology, there are risks associated with those types of therapies. Due to the increasing number
The vision of APIC is to be a world leader in
of implanted orthopedic devices, it is expected
translating research ideas into polymer and
that the number of revision surgeries will increase
biomaterial based therapies that have significant
exponentially due to wear and infection.
commercial value and will dramatically improve clinical care for patients with orthopedic and tissue regeneration problems. Utilizing a value driven engineering approach, APIC intends to build international networks and collaborations that will strengthen the application of knowledge
Osteoporosis is also considered as a serious public health concern. Currently it is estimated that over 200 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. Approximately 30% of all postmenopausal women have osteoporosis in the United States and in Europe.
and technology and address the needs of patients
At least 40% of these women and 15-30% of men
around the globe.
will sustain one or more fragility fractures in their remaining lifetime.
TACKlIng PrEssIng hEAlTh ConCErns
Ageing of populations worldwide will be responsible for a major increase in the incidence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men. It has been
Wound healing
shown that an initial fracture is a major risk factor
Wound healing problems can occur with any type
for a new fracture. Further, there is an 86% increase
of wound and even more so with those patients
of new fractures in people that have previously
who have existing compromised health conditions.
sustained a fracture. The bone regenerative market
It is estimated that there will be 425 million diabetic
is poised for new technologies and advances given
patients worldwide by 2030 that could lead to a
the expected increase in the number of individuals
commensurate increase in the number of patients
with osteoporosis and fractures.
Partners and joint expertise Collaboration partners
Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA)
Center of Excellence for Polymer Materials and Technologies (CE PoliMaT)
The ABIA is an exceptional collaboration between
CE PoliMaT is a privately owned legal entity,
Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health
established in 2010, by a group of businesses
System, Knight Foundation, Northeast Ohio Medical
and academic institutions. Its mission is to ensure
University, Summa Health System, University
commercialization of research excellence into high
of Akron and First Energy Corporation. As an
value added products and services in high-tech
alliance of seven independent institutions, the
niche markets thereby supporting job creation
ABIA leverages individual strengths and collective
and economic development. The focus of polymer
mass to accelerate biomedical innovation to
science research and development within CE
commercialization and community transformation
PoliMaT is on advanced multifunctional materials
beyond that possible by any one institution. The
including the use of nanotechnology and renewable
ABIA consists of five nationally distinct Centers
resources – bio based and biodegradable materials.
of Innovation with core strengths in the areas of
CE PoliMaT develops applications for use in health,
biopolymers, orthopedics and wound healing.
electronics, green energy and agriculture. One
Utilizing its nationally recognized “Innovative
of the main objectives of CE PoliMaT is to create
Solutions for Invention Xceleration” (i6) model,
companies that will commercialize high potential
the ABIA is positioned to rapidly accelerate novel
technologies. CE PoliMaT is located in Ljubljana,
patient-centered innovation and commercialization
Slovenia and cooperates with leading centers of
at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine.
knowledge in the field of polymers from Austria,
ABIA is located in Akron, Ohio.
France, the United States, Africa and India, paving the way to a global biopolymer network.
Our joint competencies cover all stages of innovation process of commercial therapies in health • Research and development in polymer and biomaterial based therapies • Technology assessment and commercialization • Commercial potential • Intellectual property considerations • Clinical screening • Scientific and technical considerations • Regulatory considerations • Prototyping • Commercialization - company creation / licensing
aPiC internationaL CoMMit tees APIC sTEErIng CoMMITTEE MEMBErs •
Mateja Dermastia, MSc Director of CE PoliMaT
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Dr. frank Douglas Director of ABIA
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Dr. Boris Pukl Advisor to the director of Jožef Stefan Institute
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Thom olmstead Director of Business Development, ABIA
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Dr. Zev gurion Executive Director of Akron BioMedical Corridor
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Dr. Mio Knežević Director of company Educell d.d.
Signing of the Master Agreement, April 2, 2013, at Bled, Slovenia Front row from left to right: Mateja Dermastia, MSc, Dr. Frank Douglas; second row from left to right: Dr. Boris Pukl, Dr. Zev Gurion, Dr. Tanja Rajkovič, Thom Olmstead
APIC sCIEnTIfIC CoMMITTEE MEMBErs ABIA Members: •
Dr. Matt Becker, Associate Professor, Department
CE PoliMaT Members: •
CE PoliMaT Scientifi c Council, National Institute of
of Polymer Science, University of Akron
Chemistry Slovenia
• Dr. Ali Dhinojwala, Professor, Department of Polymer Science,
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Chemistry Slovenia
Ananth Murthy, MD, FACS, Director, Plastic & Reconstructive, Surgery Medical Director,
Dr. Zorica Crnjak orel, Vice president of the CE PoliMaT Scientifi c Council, National Institute of
University of Akron •
Prof. Dr. Majda Žigon, Professor, President of the
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Dr. Peter venturini, Assistant professor, President of
Craniofacial Center, and Speech Surgery Clinic,
the management board of the Slovenian research
Akron Children’s Hospital
Agency, Advisor to the board of company Helios d.d. for research and development
Our uniqueness
A
PIC focuses on translational projects where the stage of clinical trials can be reached within a short time frame. Project ideas entering this initiative are first screened by our international Scientific and Steering Committees, followed by a comprehensive stage gate evaluation process. The clinical and commercial
potential of the technology along with securing global patent protection are the critical initial gates. The initial selection of projects is first considered by the Scientific Committee, while the final evaluation and approval is made by the Steering Committee. Once the projects are approved they are seamlessly managed and undergo regular project reviews every 3 to 4 months.
Innovation project selection process
Project Applications
Preliminary
Proposed
Comprehensive
Project Review
Projects
Project Review
Project Development • Project Leader • Resources • Funding • Stewardship
Project
• Milestones
Approval
KEY OBJECTIVES OF APIC • Screen 25 innovation ideas in 3 years • Approve 8-10 innovation projects • Bring at least 1 innovation project to a stage of clinical trials or further product development by the middle of 2014 and annually thereafter • Submit 3 joint applications by the end of the first year and apply to national and multilateral agencies for grants (i.e., NSF, NIH) • A minimum of 3 patentable ideas over the 3 years • Screen additional project for patients from Africa that APIC will work on
Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron 47 North Main Street, Akron, OH
ThE founDErs of ABIA •
Akron Children’s Hospital
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Akron General Health System
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John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
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Northeast Ohio Medical University
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Summa Health System and
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University of Akron
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First Energy Corporation
Phone: + 1 44308 330-572-7544 E: Thom Olmstead: tolmstead@abiakron.org I: http:// www.abiakron.org
Center of Excellence PoliMaT Tehnološki park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
ThE founDErs of CE PolIMAT
Phone: +386 (0) 59081273 E: Dr. Tanja Rajkovič:
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National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana
tanja.rajkovic@polimat.si
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University of Maribor: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and
I: http://www.polimat.si
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering •
University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology The Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana
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National and University Library, Ljubljana
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Polymer Technology College, Slovenj Gradec
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Akripol d.d., Trebnje
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Belinka Perkemija d.o.o., Ljubljana
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Bia Separations d.o.o., Ljubljana
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GGP, Gozdno gospodarstvo Postojna d.o.o., Postojna
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Helios Domžale d.d., Domžale
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Helios, TBLUS d.o.o., Količevo
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Kolektor group d.o.o., Idrija
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Kolpa d.d., Metlika
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Melamin d.d., Kočevje
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Mitol d.d., Sežana
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TC Polieko, Celje
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TECOS, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre, Celje
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Lek Pharmaceutical Company d.d., Ljubljana
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Tosama d.d., Vir
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Anteja ECG d.o.o., Ljubljana
PoliMaT trademark is registered in Slovenia under registration number 201171366, 201171367, 201171368.
The operation of PoliMaT is partly fi nanced by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund - budget heading 6944 Competitiveness of Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-07-13-EU, accounts 4120 and 4310. 15% of the share of eligible assets represent earmarked funds from the budget of the Republic of Slovenia - budget heading 9406 Competitiveness of Enterprises and Research Excellence - ESRR-0713-Slovenian participation, accounts 4120 and 4310, NRP-No 3211-09-0012.
D ES I G N: W W W. PAV EO. S I
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