Four innovation projects are currently running where several regional manufacturers and R&D companies, the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the University of Groningen collaborate to improve the current implant workflow in all its steps. Research and clinical expertise are brought in by the UMCG clinical departments of the 3DLab, the Oral and Maxillofacial Department, represented by Prof. Max Witjes, Dr. Joep Kraeima and Dr. Baucke van Minnen, the Traumasurgery dept with Dr. Frank Ijpma, Orthopedics with Prof. Paul Jutte and Dr. Patrick van Rijn from the Biomedical Engineering department. Among the industry partners, the ecosystem includes Witec Fijnmechanische Techniek, Polyvation, Bether Encapsulates, VDL Wientjes, SmartPolymers, Innovizie, Elbo Technics and Biomacs.
The ecosystem was made possible by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRO), which is coordinated in the North by SNN, with co-financing from the Municipality of Groningen, Province Groningen and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. The program started in 2019 and will end in 2023. In February 2022, the PI Ecosystem delivered an interim report about the first two years of the ecosystem (2019-2021). The report outlined the progress and results of the ecosystem and the innovation projects and the adherence to the obligations imposed by subsidy provider SNN. This report and the subsequent discussion with SNN's Expert Committee showed that the ecosystem is on course and met the subsidy obligations. This means that the ecosystem can continue until the end of the Open Innovation program in April 2023.
We are very happy with this news and hope to achieve many more great results together with all our regional partners of the innovation projects!
For more information visit (only in Dutch): Personalised Implants Ecosysteem
