Nasseo Awarded SBIR Grant From NSF

San Diego, California-based Nasseo, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in order to fund its work on spinal implants involving a nano-engineered surface coating.

According to the October 3, 2016 news release, “Nasseo will conduct feasibility studies with an optimized nanotube surface on medical grade polyether ether ketone (PEEK). When applied to PEEK implants, Nasseo’s nanotube surface technology maintains the benefit of the material’s radiolucency while providing an enhanced bone response. The Company’s aim is to improve the osseointegration of PEEK spinal interbody fusion devices…To date, over 10 years of research have validated Nasseo’s nanotube surface technology; numerous studies have demonstrated enhanced bone cell response and anti-bacterial properties compared with conventional implant surfaces.”

“The National Science Foundation’s interest in advancing our work is a distinct honor. The grant will accelerate development of our unique platform surface technology, with an ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes for orthopedic patient care, ” says Nasseo’s Co-founder and CTO Dr. Garrett Cale Smith, who will also serve as primary investigator on the study.

Dr. Smith told OTW, “Nasseo’s proprietary nanotube surface technology has shown in multiple pre-clinical publications to increase bone bonding, decrease bacterial colonization, and lower inflammation. This thin titanium nanotube coating on PEEK is expected to improve the biological properties of PEEK while providing a lower coating profile with less risk of delamination. Additionally the thin layer allows for favorable visualization.

“With the addition of Nasseo’s surface technology to spinal interbody devices, surgeons can be confident the titanium coating will not separate from the PEEK polymer during placement thereby increasing the long-term success of these implants. Nasseo’s nanotube surface technology could potentially be applied to existing implant systems or manufacturing processes such as grit blasting and plasma spraying.

“In discussions with orthopedic/spine companies and surgeons, we understand that there is significant interest in improved surface technology on PEEK interbody devices as there are issues with coating consistency and wear debris with products on the market. Nasseo’s proprietary nanotube technology on PEEK could provide a novel solution to this problem.”