We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the field of personalized medical implants: the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), in collaboration with the ENTEG Institute of the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering of the University of Groningen, and regional companies WiTEC Innovating Together, Bether Encapsulates, BAAT Medical and PolyVation, have secured a substantial 3.7 MLN EUR regional grant from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to start the program iMPaCT-implants.
At the core of the iMPaCT-implants project lies a vision: to create a new generation of personalized implants. iMPaCT-implants represents a crucial step towards market readiness with a special focus on addressing the needs of stakeholders and deliver custom solutions to patients.
This innovative initiative harnesses the potential of cutting-edge digital technology, including 3D imaging, and integrates patient-specific data such as bite force, walking patterns, and other movements. Therefore, this consortium aspires to set a standard for medical implants within the European Union, making implant solutions a reality for patients.
The Power of Collaborative Expertise
The iMPaCT-implants consortium is a testament to the impact of collaboration. It brings together regional partners from healthcare, academia, and the industrial sector. UMCG, and the University of Groningen, renowned for their expertise in clinical treatments, digital imaging techniques, materials science, and 3D-planning and design, spearhead the clinical and research aspects. Regional industrial leaders, WiTEC Innovating Together and BAAT Medical bring their wealth of experience in manufacturing medical devices and in product certification. Bether Encapsulates specialises in controlled release of active compounds, while PolyVation’s strength is in development and manufacturing of polymers. The UMCG Innovation centre will be involved in program management, knowledge transfer and implementation.
Advancing Medical Implant Innovation
iMPaCT-implants, which a total project size of 7.3 MLN EUR, embarks on a multifaceted journey with six interconnected research lines, each addressing critical aspects of medical implant innovation. The program will optimize implant design workflows and innovate the next generation of individualized 3D-designed devices, including knee, airway, wrist and jaw implants for complex bone defects and fractures. In addition to that, two subprojects will focus respectively on research and development of efficient computational frameworks for patient-specific implants, as well as work on strategies to enhance the infection-resistant properties of medical devices.
The Just Transition Fund
The Just Transition Fund provides essential support, advancing the green and sustainable development of the Drenthe, Groningen, and Fryslân Provinces, the Municipality of Emmen, and the Northern Labour Market regions. The fund is co-financed by the European Union and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and is made available by the regional funding agency Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN), with support from the Province and Municipality of Groningen.
