Biomaterial platform achieves investment interest

A spin-out from the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick – 4D Medicine has raised £3.4m ($4.4m) in a Series A investment backed by Oshen Holdings, DSW Ventures, SFC Capital, Boundary Capital and private investors including several leading scientists and surgeons. It will enable the company to complete pre-clinical testing of its first product range and seek FDA clearance for entry into the US market.

Founded in 2022, 4DMedicine has developed innovative biomaterial at its Nottingham-based facility, with potential for use used with a wide range of 3D printed implants and surgical devices. Its product 4Degra, is a resorbable biomaterial that is being used to develop implants such as orthopaedic devices or soft tissue scaffolds to help patients recovering from surgery or injuries. Preliminary testing has shown that as healing progresses, the biomaterial gradually erodes and is resorbed by normal metabolic processes as natural tissue grows back in its place.This gradual erosion process reduces the occurrence of harmful acidic by-products which can cause pain, inflammation and cysts as a by-product of some existing resorbable materials that break down too rapidly. 

As 4Degra can be 3D printed to create complex geometries, it can be produced in both soft and hard formulations, and has the potential to be used both for flexible products such as films and membranes, or more rigid components such as plates, pins and bone scaffolds.

The latest funding brings the company’s total raised to date to £5m. It is now preparing to raise a Series B investment early next year.

Philip Smith, the company’s CEO, commented: “I would like to thank all our investors for their trust and support. Our success in continuing to raise investment despite the difficult market conditions over the last few years is testament to their belief in the company’s commercial potential and our world-class team. The funds will be used to complete the pre-clinical testing of our first medical device product range and our preparations for entry into the orthopaedic market”.

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