PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent
analysis of the advances in medical device technology for orthopedic
applications recognized Angstrom Medica, Inc. in the field of orthopedic
biomaterials as the recipient of the 2005 Excellence in Technology Award for
the development of its novel nanocrystalline calcium phosphate technology --
NanOss(TM). This technology exploits nanotechnology allowing Angstrom Medica
to manipulate calcium and phosphate at the molecular level and create
formulations with unique material properties including high mechanical
strength.
Angstrom Medica, whose tagline is "the synthetic bone company", has
incorporated NanOss chemistries in the development of both hydroxyapatite (HA)
and tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) formulations for use as structural medical
devices, an injectable, weight-bearing bone cement and as bioactive coatings.
"The human bone is composed of a calcium and phosphate composite,
specifically hydroxyapatite. As a result, synthetic manipulations that mimic
the natural composition, size, and morphology of bone possess better
bioactivity," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Nivedithaa
Gopaalakrishnan. "Not surprisingly, NanOss finds applications where natural
bone is damaged or removed, such as in the treatment of fractures and also as
a replacement of allograft (donor bone) and metallic medical devices in the
areas of spine and sports medicine."
Angstrom Medica's nanotechnology manipulates molecules at the nanoscale
(one millionth of a millimeter). Assembling molecules at such a scale pervades
materials with unparalleled structural and functional properties. Furthermore,
such molecular compounds can be tinkered to produce specific attributes.
Angstrom Medica's patented precipitation process involves the formation of
nanostructured calcium phosphates.
In terms of the specific process parameters, the nanocrystalline forms are
produced after retrieving the nanocrystals from the solvent setup. These dense
transparent monoliths are later configured into the required shapes
necessitated by orthopedic surgery. However, the factor that really
differentiates NanOss chemistries over other hydroxyapatite-based ones is its
weight bearing capacity. The minute size of NanOss crystals allows the growth
of cells between them that gradually encompass the crystals, thereby modeling
them into natural human bone.
NanOss chemistries have been conceptualized and formulated to include the
development of products under three sub-categories used as such or as carriers
of pharmokinetic agents and orthobiologic materials. These chemistries are
highly osetoconductive and over time, merge to become a part of the natural
bone structure (in contrast to metal or polymer implants). The technology thus
finds applications in the sports medicine, spine, trauma, and general
orthopedic sectors.
"Among present allograft techniques, NanOss solves integrity, supply and
contamination issues as it is a synthetic bone engineered in the lab that can
be tailored to the expected strength," notes Gopaalakrishnan. "Furthermore,
almost any amount can be machined in NanOss as opposed to allografts that rely
on the availability of cadaver donor bones."
Angstrom Medica received approval by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for its NanOss material in early 2005 and further approvals are likely
to quicken the commercialization of these nanoscale materials and devices.
Thus, recognizing Angstrom Medica's role in advancing the use of
nanotechnology for orthopedics Frost & Sullivan is proud to present the
company the 2005 Award for Excellence in Technology.
Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to a company that has
pioneered the development and introduction of an innovative technology into
the market; a technology that has either impacted or has the potential to
impact several market sectors. The Award lauds successful technology
development that is expected to bring significant contributions to the
industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. It also
recognizes the overall technical excellence of a company and its commitment
towards technology innovation.
About Angstrom Medica
Angstrom Medica is a privately-held, privately funded, biomaterials and
medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of its
proprietary nanocrystalline calcium phosphate technology -- NanOss(TM).
NanOss is an innovative structural biomaterial that utilizes nanotechnology to
achieve nearly the strength of stainless steel while remaining highly
osteoconductive allowing it to remodel over time into human bone.
Earlier this year, Angstrom Medica's NanOss(TM) Bone Void Filler became
the first ever "nanotechnology" medical device to receive FDA clearance.
Angstrom Medica's initial product development efforts for NanOss are focused
on applications in the sports medicine, trauma, spine and general orthopaedics
markets.
Utilizing NanOss as a platform technology, Angstrom Medica is currently
focused on developing:
* Structural NanOss -- Weight-bearing medical devices that remodel into
bone
* Injectable NanOss -- Injectable, endothermic, weight bearing bone
cements
* Bioactive Coatings -- Programmable bioactive coatings with
nanosurfaces
Angstrom Medica believes that NanOss is a disruptive and enabling
technology with inherent features and benefits that make it a favorable
replacement for certain medical devices currently made of metals, PEEK,
absorbable polymers, allograft, autograft and PMMA. NanOss chemistries have
been developed in both hydroxyapatite (HA) and tri-calcium phosphate (TCP)
formulations.
Contact:
Paul J. Mraz
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(781) 933-6121 ext. 101
pmraz@angstrommedica.com
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than
40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,
growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and
develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that
includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment
community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique
global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies,
econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit
http://www.frost.com .
Contact:
Stacie Jones
210.247.2450
Stacie.jones@frost.com
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
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Related links:
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CONTACT:
Paul J. Mraz, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Angstrom Medica, Inc., +1-781-933-6121 ext. 101, or
pmraz@angstrommedica.com ; or Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan,
+1-210-247-2450, or Stacie.jones@frost.com
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