Get to know one of the 10 Academic Startup Competition winners 2020! NC Biomatrix bv: a short introduction
It’s time: the jury has selected the best 10 startups in the second edition of the Academic Startup Competition! From 57 contenders, first the Association of Universities in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation, and Techleap.nl have nominated 20 academic startups to compete in the finals. Now that the winners are known we would like to introduce you to one of them: NC Biomatrix bv, a company that developed a game-changing treatment for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.
The level of the competitors was very high this year, and the most ground-breaking and innovative academic startups were selected to be the ‘Best academic startup in the Netherlands’. These startups are responsible for state-of-the-art and ground-breaking innovations in various fields, NC Biomatric is one of the winners in the Life Sciences and Health field.
Credible and functional alternative for the treatment of degenerative disc desease
74% to 85% of the population experiences back pain at least once in their lives, of which the most prevalent cause is degenerative disc disease. NC Biomatrix wants to provide a credible and functional alternative for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. The company’s innovative product is a medical therapy able to restore the natural biomechanics of the spine, alleviating the common cause of lower back pain. The company focuses on restoring function instead of symptom relief and provides a non-invasive treatment option that does not cost more than current practice.
NC Biomatrix’s innovation, developed by Prof. Ito and his group at TU Eindhoven, is an injectable viscous gel that is based on the matrix produced by notochordal cells (NC) found in pig tissue. After processing of the tissue, a powder is produced that can be stored for a long period – the exact (regulatory approved) storage time has yet to be determined. When a patient requires therapy, the powder is mixed with a solution to form an injectable treatment. The doctor has to perform an MRI scan to determine the appropriate injection site, e.g. the part in the spine where disc degeneration has occurred. Upon injection, the solution gels, forming a matrix that supports the disc tissue and stimulates restoration of biomechanics.
It appears that the mechanical initial mode of action of the NC Biomatrix product provides an ideal environment which supports auto generation of the spinal disc core. NC Biomatrix was selected as one of the winners based on the potential of their business, profit model and the innovative character of their business. The company is honored by this selection and for the opportunities the Techleap network provides.
Welcome onboard team of NC Biomatrix!