Consortium at a Glance

iP-Osteo project goals will be achieved by a consortium of 7 SMEs and 7 academic institutions.

Academic partners
SMEs

IEM

Institute of Experimental Medicine (IEM) of the Czech Academy of Sciences is focused on research in areas of regenerative medicine, cell biology, development of drug delivery systems and development of scaffolds for regeneration of soft and hard tissues (e.g. skin, abdominal incision, cartilage, bone, tendons). Scaffolds are based on mainly biodegradable polymers prepared as gels, foams and nanofibres as well as on bone implants. The novel materials are firstly being tested for biocompatibility in vitro, and moreover, tissue regeneration is evaluated on animal models including mice, rats, rabbits, minipigs or pigs.

The lead scientist dr. Eva Filova, is an expert in development of hydrogel and scaffold based materials for regeneration of the osteochondral defects.

At IEM, researchers will be testing the developed materials (scaffolds and hydrogels) for their biocompatibility as well as the ability to stimulate the regeneration of the bone and cartilage tissues.

InoCure s.r.o.

InoCure s.r.o. is an R&D performing SME focused on development of high-throughput electrospinning and electrospraying devices for biomedical applications. InoCure is also accively involved in development of drug delivery systems and biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. InoCure markets multiple electrospinning devices (lab-scale unit, production lines, custom-made devices) as well as scaffolds for 3D cell culture and fibrous filters for respirators and medical masks. InoCure also offers a contract development for electrospun membranes and encapsulation 

The lead scientist at InoCure, Matej Buzgo, has more than 10 year experience in development of advanced membranes and drug delivery systems using electrospinning and electro-spraying. Matej Buzgo studied cell biology at Charles University in Prague and spent most of his research career at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Technical University and Charles University in Prague. His research activities were focused on the nanomaterials preparation for in vitro and in vivo (e.g. tissue engineering) cell cultures. Matej Buzgo is a renowned expert in development of needleless electrospinning devices and preparation of core/shell nanofibers for drug delivery of proteins and small molecules. Matej Buzgo is an author of more than 50 research publications in high-impact journals (H-index: 17), has written two book chapters, and holds eight national patents on scaffold production whereof one European patent. 

At InoCure researchers will be trained on using the high-throughput electrospinning devices and will active contribute on the development of active growth-factor releaseing scaffolds for bone and cartilage engineering. Researchers will also work on developing particle-based drug delivery systems.

SZECH

Department of Materials Science and Technology belongs to the Audi Hungaria Faculty at the Szechenyi Istvan University (SZECH). The department is an expert in computer modelling, 3D printing, computer tomography, nanoparticle synthesis and modelling of different particle interactions.

The lead scientist prof. Ibolya Zsoldos, is an expert in modelling and simulations of nanostructures and 3D techniques.

At SZECH, researchers will use the computer modelling techniques to predict the release profiles form the nanoparticle that will guide the development of nanoparticles with time-regulated release of active molecules for bone and cartilage regeneration.

OSPIN

OSPIN is a young company with the mission to automate and scale up the production of artificial biological tissues and organs to industrial dimensions. OSPIN is developing automated and scalable technologies increasing throughput in research and forming the base for successful commercialization of tissue engineered products. OSPIN’s modular bioprocessing platform supports cultivation of different tissue models representing a flexible foundation for countless applications. Through an intuitive user interface arbitrary automated production processes can be defined. The compact, integrated and stackable bioreactor systems are independent of incubators and save valuable lab space. Automation and ease-of-use significantly reduce technical complexity in tissue engineering thus enabling users to focus on their biological and medical expertise.

The lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, Dr. Jordi Morales-Dalmau is an expert in nanomedicine and photonics, with years of experience working and coordinating multi-disciplinary research and industrial projects.

At OSPIN, researchers will help on the design and development of bioreactor and tissue chambers for the tissue engineering applications, and automation of multi-step bioprocesses. Specifically, researchers will work on multi-chamber bioreactors for testing bone regeneration on scaffolds.

Bioneer a/s

Bioneer A/S is an innovative research-based non-for profit organization and an authorised provider of services with biomedicine and biotechnology. Bioneer has worked extensively on the development and implementation of technologies within in vitro model systems and supporting analytical platforms within molecular biology, biochemical assays and toxicity assays. Bioneer has developed and implemented iPSC platforms and gene editing technology platforms and a variety of differentiation protocols, including pancreatic and neuronal differentiation protocols.

The lead scientist at Bioneer, Dr. Bjørn Holst, has more than 15 years’ experience in in vitro modelling platforms, including iPSCs. In addition, Dr. Mikkel Rasmussen has more than 10 years’ experience in culture, differentiation and gene editing of iPSC.

At Bioneer, researchers will work on development of iPSC differentiation protocols in the novel electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.

OrthoSera

OrthoSera is a regenerative medicine company harnessing the power of blood serum for human diseases. Orthosera combines the outstanding know-how in cell therapies with the expertise in growth factor research for the development of innovative orthobiologics. OrthoSera’s R&D is currently focused on bone grafting, osteoarthritis, wound healing, as well as dental and orthopedic indications. Blood serum has a high regenerative potential, and based on this fact OrthoSera has already developed two technologies. BoneAlbumin is essentially a serum albumin enhanced bone allograft that was shown to activate bone marrow stem cells leading to faster and better bone healing. This tissue product is already in commercial stage with two double-blind clinical studies proving its effectiveness. BoneAlbumin is marketed through our subsidiary OrthoSera Dental Kft. in dental indications. Our next technology takes this concept even further, as we use a proprietary method to isolate a specific, growth-factor rich serum fraction (SPRF) that has shown superior effects in promoting cell proliferation in osteoarthritic bone and cartilage cells.

The lead scientist for iP-Osteo, dr. Olga Kuten is an expert in regenerative medicine. Her work as R&D Manager in OrthoSera focused on the regenerative capacity of blood-derived products in biological systems, with a firm interest in serum from platelet-rich plasma and hyperacute serum in the context of cartilage and bone repair.

At OrthoSera, researchers will test the scaffolds and particles with encapsulated sera and growth factors and will compare their efficacy on the cell culture of bone and cartilage.

UCL

University College London (UCL) has a global reputation for excellence in research and is committed to delivering impact and innovations that enhance the lives of people in the UK, across Europe and around the world. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 13,000 staff and 42,000 students from 150 different countries.  UCL School of Pharmacy aims to be a positive force for change in pharmaceutical healthcare provision via the generation of successful and well-rounded graduates, the dissemination of impactful research of the highest quality and the provision of leadership within the profession of pharmacy, both nationally and internationally.

The lead scientist in iP-OSTEO project, Dr Gareth Williams is Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Head of Pharmaceutics in the UCL School of Pharmacy. He has extensive experience of pharmaceutical materials science, with particular expertise the electrospinning/electrospraying techniques for the drug delivery application.

At UCL researchers will develop advanced core-shell fibres and particles by electrohydrodynamic techniques, and explore these for the time-regulated release of active ingredients for bone tissue regeneration applications.

HSRW

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), is a young, dynamic institution of higher education, HSRW is focused on interdisciplinary, applied research.

The lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, prof. Amir Fahmi s focused on the development of (multi)functional hybrid nanostructured nanomaterials including the design, fabrication and characterisation of well-defined nanostructures at different dimensions and length scales. This include key aspects in nanofabrication and nanostructured hybrid materials based on self-assembly of (bio)-polymeric materials and inorganic nanoparticles in both bulk and thin film.

At HSRW, researchers will develop hybrid organic-inorganic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

LLS Rowiak

LLS ROWIAK Laser Lab Solutions GmbH offers innovative laser instruments for image guided tissue processing and cell manipulation. In addition, LLS provides services in tissue and material thin sectioning and sample preparation and is expert partner for laser application research in Life and Material Sciences. A patent protected laser microtome (TissueSurgeon) has been realized for sectioning of biological tissue, biomaterials and a range of industrial materials by femtosecond lasers instead of using common microtomes with mechanic methods (steel blades or grinding technologies). The histology lab offers full service from sample to slide for delicate samples like undecalcified bone or implanted tissue. 

The lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, Dr. Heiko Richter has a background in biology and is specialized in hard tissue histology. At LLS he is responsible for application development in laser microtomy. 

At LLS ROWIAK, researchers will learn the principles of the laser cutting and imaging applications in life science research and will perform laser microtome sections of the samples generated during the project using the TissueSurgeon.

Corticalis a/s

Corticalis AS is an SME focused on manufacturing implants and bone graft material, as well as the quality and stability testing of materials. Corticalis has experience with large industrial medical devices development projects and in regulatory aspects (technical filing).

The lead scientist for the iP-Osteo project, prof. Håvard Haugen is an expert in biomaterials and animal models. His research is focused on development or modification of biomaterials, soft tissue and hard tissue regeneration and integration of biomaterials into bone and related hard tissues, using methods from biomaterials, odontology, and biochemistry.

At Corticalis, researchers will be testing the influence of various peptide coatings on differentiation of MSCs to bone and cartilage lineages.

IGB

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) offers R&D solutions in the fields of health, chemistry and process industry as well as the environment and energy. Their competences comprise Interfacial Engineering and Materials Science, Molecular Biotechnology, Physical Process Technology, Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, as well as Cell and Tissue Engineering. In this project the competences in materials science, interfacial engineering and analytics will be incorporated. 

The lead scientist for the iP-Osteo project, Dr. Achim Weber is an expert in the development of interfacial process engineering, (bio)printing, surface treatment and nano-based materials. For the iP-osteo project he will guide the development of the functional core-shell particles on the micro- and nanometer scale and innovative surface treatment especially for the targeted controlled release of APIs.

At IGB, researchers will use different methods for particle production, such as spray drying and will develop core-shell particles for targeted and controlled release of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. Moreover, researchers will also develop the crosslinkable material systems, based on bio-polymers derived from the native extracellular matrix, e.g. gelatin.

Biofabics

BIOFABICS LDA is an R&D startup company specialized in 3D Biotissue Analogues. In particular, BIOFABICS LDA develops: 1 – Tailor-Made Implants and Bioreactors for research and implantation; 2 – Body-Like Environments for study of cells and tissues in in vivo-like states; 3 – Customizable, Truly 3D Organ-on-Chip Devices for drug discovery and personalized diagnostic/treatment. The current main activity of BIOFABICS LDA is to provide R&D services to companies and labs around the world who are looking to employ novel, more accurate, and more reliable tissue/organ models in their own research activities.

The lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, dr. Pedro Costa is an expert in biofabrication, microfluidics, Organs-on-Chip technologies, bioreactor Technologies, tissue Engineering & regenerative medicine.

At BIOFABICS, researchers will develop customizable 3D printed devices for automotaed testing of the scaffold based tissue models.

Scinus

SCINUS is a Dutch R&D-oriented SME that was founded in 2017 as a spin-out from Xpand Biotechnology BV. The core activity of SCINUS is to develop an innovative bioreactor platform technology to replace conventional cell expansion in tissue culture plates by high quality, reliable and fully automated expansion in a closed system on the bench. SCINUS’s bioreactor system contains a single use bioreactor bag that can be used to cultivate cells to clinically relevant numbers. The SCINUS system replaces at least 100 cell culture flasks per clinical production in a reproducible, controlled and cost effective way. Due to its clinical scale cell cultivation abilities, the system can be used in various cell herapy and personalized medicine applications.

Lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, dr. Ruud Das, has extensive experience in the technology for regenerative medicine applications, especially cartilage tissue engineering.

At SCINUS, researchers will learn to work with their cell expansion bioreactors, and will test applications of scaffolds in the bioreactors.

IPPT

Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT),
is one of the largest institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. IPPT is a multidisciplinary research institute conducting R&D activities in several scientific disciplines such as mechanics of materials and structures, materials science, biomechanics, acoustics, electronics, computer science, intelligent technologies and others.

The lead scientist in iP-Osteo project, dr. Tomasz Kowalczyk, has 17 years’ experience working on materials engineering, biomedical engineering, innovative materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials for biomedical engineering, drug delivery systems and medical devices, and 11 years’ experience on development of the innovative electrospun nanofibers for medical devices.

At IPPT researchers will develop protein-based nanfibrous scaffolds that will be combined with other scaffold for promoting bone and cartilage regeneration.