Originally Published EMDM
September 2003
INDUSTRY NEWS
Biomedical Site Bridges Research and Market Access |
| The Netmed Web site contains data on the machining of miniature 3-D components and the development of nanostructures. |
The traditional technology-driven model has little traction for the biomedical sector. A new multinational on-line project aims to provide the tools this industry needs to thrive. Netmed (Virtual Institute of Micromechatronics for the Biomedical Industry) was developed to yield easy and fast access to R&D experiment results for professionals in the biomedical field.
“In other sectors, technology is independently developed, so the technology is the force behind the creation of new products,” says Giuseppe Pozzana, Netmed’s project manager. “In the biomedical sector, it is the urgent need of the patient that guides research. The need for new products is determined by the medical community working with the patient, not the industry.”
Sponsored and funded by the European Union, Netmed is a consortium of 10 European partners. It pools the services and expertise of industry experts to create a virtual one-stop shop. The engineers and scientists have complementary capabilities in technology transfer and micromechatronics (MM) manufacturing for biomedical applications. “The scope of Netmed is to facilitate access to MM R&D research that can be applied to the biomedical industry,” according to Pozzana.
The project has a two-pronged approach. Part of its aim is to help users find innovative and marketable solutions for their products. Moreover, an on-line forum allows researchers to discuss and promote their knowledge of MM for biomedical applications in Europe. Scientific training and support, such as structured seminars, workshops, and courses, are on the roster.
The network structure provides an opportunity for medical device manufacturers and small business owners to be exposed to new technologies. Research on prosthetic devices, biological microelectromechanical systems, DNA-chip technology, and minimally invasive instruments will be featured on the Web site. Netmed has already been successful in presenting some core applications— the machining of miniature 3-D parts from different materials and the development of nanostructures, for example. Discussions of rapid prototyping and small-volume manufacturing make up part of the industrial section of the Web site.
The Italian division of Netmed brings micromechatronics and R&D research from the Centre for Research in Microengineering (CRIM) to the site. It has expertise in drug delivery and medical diagnostics. CRIM’s participation is in conjunction with Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA) in Pontedra (PI), Italy, which has assumed directorship of the virtual “body” for the next three years.
Other European partners are adding lessons and seminars on creating a medical device business. The services offered vary from training, evaluation services, and experimental testing to conference organization, office and IT support, and patent advice.
“The people in this emerging sector—the small-to-medium enterprises—don’t have solutions. Our goal is to start the process, and guide them from the embryonic stage to a full-fledged business,” says Arianna Menciassi, assistant professor of biomechanical engineering at SSSA. One of the main challenges Netmed faces is to make its services effective and exclusive.
The Netmed team of virtual consultants ultimately plans to start up and spin off companies for paying customers. The next three years will serve as the litmus test. “Initially, services will be offered free of charge, but we are developing a fee-based system. It is still in the experimentation process,” says Menciassi. In addition to the services it already provides, Netmed plans to incorporate financial services, a consultancy department to obtain public grants, and legal and tax advisory services. All information will be in English.
For more information, contact Giuseppe Pozzana, Program Director, Polo Sant’Anna Valdera, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedra (PI) 56025, Italy; phone: +39 050 883017; fax: +39 050 883100; e-mail:
www.netmed-eu.sssup.it; Internet: www.netmed-eu.sssup.it.
Laura Angela Bagnetto
Copyright ©2003 European Medical Device Manufacturer
