Planting the Seeds

Suppose you have an idea for the perfect medical device. So what's next? The usual route is to create the product, find funding, and then start production. Without a prototype, most venture capitalists won't consider investing. But what if you don't have the money to build a prototype? One group aims to change all that.

The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center offers fledgling medical device firms an opportunity to develop their products. M2D2, as the center is known, is located in the plastics engineering department at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. It was launched in June 2005 by way of a university-funded grant. M2D2 contains a design center and a materials lab; equipment is available for making prototypes. And because the center is located on campus, it's very easy for device developers to consult with university researchers and scientists.

The current tenant, Perfusion Technology, is developing a method for treating neurological disorders. The "blood-brain barrier" is the body's way of keeping toxins in the blood from affecting the brain. Unfortunately, the barrier also keeps out therapeutic drugs. Perfusion's technique uses IV-administered drugs, along with noninvasive ultrasound, to bypass this barrier.

This seed-stage medical device firm has quickly seen the benefits of being at M2D2. Soon after coming to the center, Perfusion began working with university researchers on a way to treat brain tumors. The two groups are now combining a nanotech-based drug delivery system with Perfusion's ultrasound technique.

In providing basic resources, these centers encourage the growth of new medical device firms. And as more universities, corporations, and towns get involved in funding similar facilities, it will plant the seeds for future product development.

Corinne Litchfield
Associate Editor, MPMN

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The editors of MPMN receive hundreds of press releases on medical device components each week. Read on for what we thought were the most eye-catching products and services that have recently come across our desk.

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Read more news features in the May 2006 issue of MPMN.

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