1. Bench testing at Proxy Biomedical Limited – data on file.

Technical Characteristics¹: VitaMESH Blue

Ohio Third Frontier Commission awards $8 million in grants to NE Ohio groups
By CHUCK SODER
11:48 am, July 15, 2011

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission has awarded a total of about $8 million to eight Northeast Ohio groups developing biomedical and sensor technologies.

The eight grants, each valued at about $1 million, were among 13 technology development grants the state awarded yesterday through the Third Frontier program, an economic development initiative designed to stimulate Ohio’s economy through innovation.

Below are descriptions of the eight grant projects led by organizations in Cuyahoga County and the counties that surround it:

Arteriocyte Inc. of Cleveland, working with Ohio State University, will develop further a technology used to grow hematopoietic stem cells. The project aims to achieve regulatory approvals needed to use the technology in humans.

Case Western Reserve University, working with Proxy Biomedical and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, aims to improve the process used to make a biomaterials-based product designed to treat urinary incontinence. The effort should help the group receive regulatory approval for the product.

Energy Focus Inc. of Solon will develop a lighting sensor that uses wireless communication and is powered by a photovoltaic cell. This technology will be deployed in commercial buildings to improve lighting control, save energy and reduce construction and lighting upgrade costs. Energy Focus is working with Ohio State University, Valtronic USA, the University of Dayton’s Institute for Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology, and Geis Construction.

Imalux Corp. of Cleveland, in collaboration with GVI Medical Devices and the Cleveland Clinic, aims to improve the performance of a medical imaging device used to detect cancer in tissue such as the cervix or the bladder, where early-stage cancer is not yet visible on the surface.

OrthoHelix Surgical Designs Inc. of Medina, in collaboration with Hudak, Shunk & Farine, aims to design a plating system meant to stabilize bones in the foot and ankle. The group also hopes to receive regulatory approval for the system.

Spectre Corp. of Elyria, in collaboration with NASA Glenn Research Center and Lorain County Community College, wants to develop an industrial sensor that provides longer life, better performance and higher temperature resistance than other sensors.

U.S. Endoscopy of Mentor is working with University Hospitals to expand its expertise in the design and manufacturing of gastrointestinal endoscopes into specialty products for the urological market.

VasoStar Inc. of Mentor wants to complete development and collect safety data on a vibrating tip guidewire system that will allow cardiologists to break through vascular occlusions that prevent stent placement or completion of a vascular procedure. The company is working with Frantz Medical, Interplex and the Cleveland Clinic.

The grant money came from the group’s budget for fiscal 2011, which ended June 30. The Third Frontier commission is expected to make several changes to the way it awards money allotted to fiscal 2012.

The commission made one award from its fiscal 2012 budget: It gave the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber a $321,000 grant that the organization will use to help southwest Ohio companies finance internships.

The polymer was chosen for the LP-ESP lumbar replacement and the CP-ESP cervical replacement devices because its elastomeric quality enables the implants to mimic the motion of the human disc. The product took 10 years to develop, and “DSM Biomedical played a pivotal role,” said JM Idier, CEO of FH Group, in a release.

“We are excited about our work with FH Group, an organization which shares our company’s vision to deliver products that work to improve clinical outcomes for patients,” said DSM Biomedical global business director Rob Evans in a statement.

Meanwhile, DSM Dyneema (The Netherlands), a sister business group, has announced a partnership with Proxy Biomedical (Galway, Ireland).

The companies will collaborate to advance surgical mesh biomaterials, including ExtreMESH, a surgical mesh made from Dyneema’s Purity high-performance polyethylene fiber technology.

“With new access to Proxy Biomedical’s proven expertise in high performance materials research, development, and manufacturing, our ability to help those needing tissue repair or regeneration is expanding,” said Carina Snijder, business manager for the company’s Purity fiber. “We are always excited when we get the chance to provide Dyneema Purity fiber for new uses.”

1. AlloMEM Human Peritoneal Membrane fits the criteria in 21 CFR Part 1271.10 for regulation as a human cell, tissue or cellular or tissue-based product (HCT/P) under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act and 21 CFR Part 1271 validated sterile following ISO 11137.

2. Voskerician, G et al, “Evaluation of Adhesion Formation and Host Tissue Response to the Intra-Abdominal Placement of Human Peritoneal Membrane”, the Journal of Surgical Research 156, 297–304 (2009).