A startup company called Nanochon secure 1st place at the 3DHEALS conference this year after delivering its pitch to a group of investors including Asimov Ventures, GE Ventures, Digital Industrialist.

The company was started in 2016 by Dr. Ben Holmes and Nathan Castro, both working on novel strategies for orthopedics. At that time Dr. Castro started researching new materials for cell growth and saw a future in nanostructured polyurethane (nPU) as a cartilage replacement due to its unique chemical and physical properties, which help to support rapid stem cell growth and tissue development.

Dr. Holmes was studying strategies for leveling up existing study materials to meet clinical needs and found that 3D printed nPU has mechanical properties similar to cartilage and can brace vascularized bone growth, which is essential for integration of any joint implant.

The company developed a new type of cartilage implant that can substitute lost cartilage on a short-term basis and can combine with the body on a longer term, improving patient outcomes. The new implant is focused on younger and more active people under 55 years old, who often want to return to more tough activities and the currently available treatment options disappointment for a number of reasons

“Nanochon was started in 2016 since then we have been able to move from an interesting science experiment to a meaningful pre-clinical proof of concept demonstration, which is allowing us to rapidly leveling up into clinical testing,” Dr. Holmes stated. “I think it is a testament to what a powerful tool 3D printing can be, both for new applications in medicine/industry and the ability to test and iterate quickly.”