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ATRO Medical, the Dutch clinical-stage orthopedic company developing a novel artificial meniscus implant for patients suffering from post-meniscectomy pain, today announces the successful closing of a €3 million financing round. The financing round is primarily composed of equity investments, complemented by non-dilutive funding. It brings together MedTech investors from the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates such as 819 Capital, Thuja Capital, Bolwork International Investment and industry leaders DSM-Firmenich Ventures and Samaplast.
As the first company worldwide, ATRO Medical has started a clinical trial on a lateral artificial meniscus. For the first time ever, an absent meniscus in the outer knee compartment is replaced by an artificial meniscus, the Artimis® Meniscus Prosthesis. The first patient in this study has been treated at the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen.
This clinical study is initiated in October 2021 to enroll 14 patients at select medical centers in the Netherlands. The study is full and can no longer accept new participants. The clinical study is approved by the Dutch government (Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate) and Medical Research Ethics Committee.
Helping people who still have pain despite meniscus surgery. That goal formed the basis of ATRO Medical, when the company was founded in 2016 by Dr. Tony van Tienen. Many patients experience less pain after meniscus removal, but around 20% continue to have severe pain.
The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory (ORL) of Radboudumc starts a new project with ATRO Medical: 3D-Printed PCU meniscus Prosthesis (3PPP). 3PPP combines the latest developments in sports medicine with the strength of AI. The durable meniscus prosthesis of ATRO Medical will be designed in 3D based on artificial intelligence, developed by the Orthopaedic Research Lab. Thanks to this technology, a scan of the healthy meniscus in one leg can be used to create a meniscus solution for the affected leg. In this way, the side with a lacking meniscus causing severe knee pain can receive a new shock absorber, molded to the individual patient.
The European Commission grants € 2.5 million to ATRO Medical for the accelerated development of their artificial meniscus. The Dutch startup works on the first anatomical meniscus prostheses for patients with chronic knee pain. Their ground-breaking innovation continues to attract international attention, paving the way towards full-scale healthcare implementation.
Yess!! ATRO Medical has been named an Awardee in the Veterans Lead QuickFire Challenge organized by Johnson & Johnson Innovation!
Dutch medical innovations are rarely granted the Breakthrough Designation by the FDA. Startup ATRO Medical from Nijmegen is the new kid on the block in orthopedics. This week their Trammpolin® Meniscus Prosthesis (nowadays known as Artimis®), designed to treat chronic knee pain, received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA. The designation demonstrates the innovation potential of this implant and expedites US market access by receiving a priority treatment at the FDA.
Rens Remmings, now retired after an active career, spent six years in the navy and 41 years working for the Dutch Railways—first as a train driver and later as a service technician. Alongside his job, he also worked as a study coach, photographer and wrote Zaan region haikus for the local newspaper.
In 2018, Peter Scheijen suffered a painful tear in his medial meniscus. He underwent surgery, but recovery was slow, and his symptoms returned in 2019. Through a Facebook post, he came into contact with ATRO Medical and signed up via the website as a participant in a two-year clinical study of the meniscus prosthesis.
An international consortium led by the Dutch med-tech startup ATRO Medical receives over € 800,000 EUROSTARS funding to address an unmet need for Knee Osteoarthritis patients. These patients often suffer from cartilage degradation related to a dysfunctional meniscus. Based on previous research, the consortium will develop a durable meniscus prosthesis for the outer knee compartment to relief pain and restore mobility. This would change the life of thousands of osteoarthritis patients.
Orthopedic startup ATRO Medical enters a partnership together with the Dutch Arthritis Society for further development of the artificial meniscus. The Dutch startup works on a meniscus prosthesis for people with knee arthritis. The Dutch Arthritis Society supports these developments and shares its experience as patient expert in the field of arthritis.