Conference Program & Highlights
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"Bringing Research in Biomedical Devices to Commercialization: Opportunities and Challenges"By Freddy BOEY, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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This talk presents some of the biomedical device research work done in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) that has been or are in the process of being commercialized. While the availability of novel and highly functional biomaterials has enabled many innovative biomedical devices to be invented, the process of commercialization particularly for biomedical innovations has also increased in complexity and legislative challenges. The speaker will also share about some of the useful lessons learnt as a scientist regarding the process of bringing research to commercialization. The talk will provide some examples of devices that require a huge amount of investment and others that, while having a potentially smaller market, also have lower legislative requirements for commercial usage. This includes examples in the cardiovascular, hernia and ocular arena. Common to these devices is the approach taken in making the mechanical design as simple as possible to reduce risk of malfunction, but at the same time developing highly functional biomaterials systems which are highly reliable. Examples include drug eluting stents that are made from fully biodegradable polymers which are able to completely biodegrade after fulfilling their therapeutic functions, avoiding long term liabilities that are common with permanent implants. It can also elute drugs continuously and locally. The presentation also reports on the development of a drug eluting balloon, which allows for drugs to be locally delivered within blood vessel walls to treat against restenosis without the need for a permanent or even temporary scaffold, a Patent Ductus Arteriosus occluder implant and an injectable biodegradable drug eluting implants for treating Glaucoma.
