Arterion AB develops small diameter artificial blood vessels to be used as replacement grafts in humans. By using microbial-derived cellulose and controlling the habitat of the microbes Arterion can create vessels with better mechanical and biological properties than all known competitors.
The basis of the project started with innovative and interdisciplinary research from biopolymer scientists at Chalmers with a material focus together with surgeons at Sahlgrenska directing ongoing research on bacterial cellulose towards development of artificial blood vessels. The first projects at GIBBS included market analysis and formulation of a patent application. The processes were dependent on the mutual contribution of the innovators and other researchers, the GIBBS team, external consultants, and soft money granted to the innovation project.
As further encouraging results emerged, the next step included focusing part of the research capabilities. This was made possible by further grants and working together from different specialties; Arterion also helped the research group to design a sophisticated, GLP classified lab facility at the Biotech Center in Göteborg where their research and development studies take place.
Today Arterion (in 2008 ranked by NyTeknik and Affärsvärlden as one of the most interesting technology start-ups in Sweden) is focusing on deciding the final product specification of an artificial blood vessel to allow for external examination in 2010. Our goal is that the results collected, will then help to collect financing of yet new concepts developed in concert with the idea providers of Arterion, creating a strong knowledge partnership in the field of biomaterial development.