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DePuy Synthes announced a €36MM (~USD $41MM) investment in research and development capabilities at its Ireland Innovation Center in Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
As part of the expansion, DePuy will establish a 3D-printing Development and Launch Center and implement the Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 3D Bioprinting Laboratory, launched last year in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin. Projects will focus on advancing material science in additive manufacturing, coatings and surface treatments. The five-year project—which is expected to create 30 jobs—is supported by The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation through the state agency, IDA Ireland.
“[This announcement] marks the next phase in the exciting R&D activity being undertaken at this Innovation Centre…underlining our ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare delivery,” said Shannon Crespin, DePuy Synthes’ Vice President, Global Supply Chain.
DePuy Synthes’ expansion of its in-house capabilities is the latest evidence of the company’s dedication to additive manufacturing as a resourceful and impactful manufacturing process for orthopedic products.
Orthopedic-related projects are the initial focus of the 3D bioprinting research lab that launched in 2018. AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) and JNJ will collaborate on research projects, with JNJ offering its internal scientific experts as adjunct professors. The lab will accommodate meeting and office space for 12 people, and the tools needed to work with bioprinting and cell/tissue cultures. As work on the lab commences, AMBER will provide project management and funds for diversification support, recruitment and contract support.
Last year, DePuy and Materialise, a Belgian software and 3D printing service provider, partnered to develop the TRUMATCH® Personalized Solutions Shoulder. TRUMATCH, distributed by DePuy in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, addresses Reverse and Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty and offers an all-in-one, web-based planning platform as well as the ability to order patient-specific 3D printed surgical guides, if desired.
Later in 2018, Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Companies acquired Emerging Implant Technologies (EIT), a manufacturer of 3D-printed titanium interbodies for spinal fusion. EIT’s 3D-printed devices address anterior, transforaminal and posterior lumbar fusion and cervical procedures.
Please send comments on this article to Carolyn LaWell.
