DTI-sponsored programme produces a resource for the UK biomaterials industry on how to take a medical device material from concept through to marketplace
The Biomaterials Partnership at LGC has published a Medical Device Material Atlas in association with the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) Building up Biomaterials (BuB) programme.
The first route-map of its kind for the UK biomaterials industry, the Atlas gives a comprehensive overview of the issues associated with taking medical device material technology from concept to product launch.
"Although the UK knowledge-base is accepted as being well advanced, especially in emerging biomedical technologies, the biomaterials industry is diverse and fragmented with 95% being small-medium enterprises (SMEs) from wide-ranging disciplines," said Sally Penson, project manager with the Biomaterials Partnership.
"A major key to its success lies in enabling the development and transfer of technologies." "We believe that the Atlas will become a vital working and training document - a best practice 'tool-kit' for all aspects of taking such products to market," explained Julian Braybrook, head of the Biomaterials Partnership.
"Sourcing, understanding and complying with the many technical, regulatory and commercial challenges facing new organisations is demanding.
The Atlas should help alleviate these concerns, stimulating greater wealth-creating opportunities in the industry." One user, Brian Jones of Joint Replacement Instrumentation (JRI), remarked: "I found the Atlas to be an excellent, well-presented document; invaluable as a check-list for the newcomer to the industry and a safety net for the experienced." Its user-friendly and modular format allows access to those areas of the Atlas most relevant to individual needs whilst developing the central technical and commercial themes.
It is to be updated to electronic format for its 2nd edition in May 2003.
UK-based organisations are eligible for receipt of one free copy.
A charge applies for additional copies and non-UK based organisations.
For an order form contact Tina Hunt at LGC (contact links above).
