Medtech funding for implant company
24 Mar 2020
A Newcastle medtech company has secured nearly £250,000 in funding from Innovate UK to further its research into the impact of genetics on implants.
The funding will allow ExplantLab to develop its machine learning algorithm which considers patients’ genetics and can lead to the prediction of adverse reactions to metal implants.
David Langton, Director of ExplantLab, said: “The Innovate UK funding is part of a £350,000 project that will take our work to the next level. It will allow us to greatly expand our current data set and move our work from the research stage to being clinical ready. Ultimately this will allow us to determine which implants will function best on an individual basis and protect patients.”
Based in The Biosphere on Newcastle Helix, ExplantLab combines extensive medical, bioengineering and surgical knowledge to further understand explants (implants that have been removed from the body). Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency which drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas.
Having opened last year with both chemistry and biology laboratories, The Biosphere is already close to 50 per cent full and is home to a host of innovative life sciences companies.
Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture, Newcastle City Council said: “The Biosphere is designed to give life sciences companies the opportunity to commercialise and ExplantLab is a great example of this.”
