MedTech Hub – Hub for Innovation in Device Manufacturing, Membrane & 3D Bioprinting
Coordinator: Technopole of Mirandola (TPM)
Partners: Fondazione Democenter-Sipe (Managing Legal Entity); Fondazione ITS Academy “Mario Veronesi”; Modena Health Authority.
Mission and Strategic Focus
The MedTech Hub aims to strengthen the EU’s leadership in strategic sectors by accelerating innovation in advanced biomedical engineering and next-generation medical devices. Its mission is to integrate 3D bioprinting, tissue engineering, and membrane-based technologies into a cohesive platform capable of delivering high-impact research outcomes and market-ready solutions.
CORE PILLARS:
- Medical Devices: validation activities for materials, products and equipment, helping manufacturers strengthen performance, quality and readiness for market access. Regulatory and certification support under the European MDR framework, combining technical validation with compliance services for CE marking and international registrations.
- Cell and Tissue Engineering: Pioneering in bioprinting and 3D biofabrication to create biomimetic tissues and organs serving as highly predictive models of human body’s response to medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and compounds.
- Development of Porous Hollow Fibers: Innovating within the medical device sector, particularly in extracorporeal circulation, liquid filtration, and gas separation.
Partners collaborate through joint R&D, scouting of high-value projects, shared access to labs, coordinated fundraising, and structured technology-transfer pathways.
IMPACT:
These activities will generate multi-dimensional impacts:
- Technological: By fostering the implementation of disruptive technologies.
- Economical: Through the study and technology transfer of critical technologies.
- Social/Sustainability: By alternative models that reduce the reliance on animal testing.
Infrastructure
The Hub is anchored in the advanced infrastructure of the Technopole TPM of Mirandola, which hosts cutting-edge facilities designed to support the full innovation pipeline, from fundamental research to prototyping, validation, and pre-industrial scale-up.
Central to this ecosystem is the Applied Microscopy and Cell Biology Laboratory (MAB).
KEY ASSETS:
- Envisiontec 3D Bioplotter: high-precision bioprinting
- Piuma Nanoindenter: nanoscale mechanical characterization
- Microscope Facility: equipped with Axio Imager M2 and Axiozoom V16 systems
A further distinctive strength is the Hollow Fiber Membranes Pilot Line, equipped with:
- TIPS (Thermally Induced Phase Separation) process: enables the production of polypropylene hollow fibers Contact Angle Measurement system
- Melt Flow Index tester
- Hitachi SEM
- gas–liquid (POROLUX 1000) and liquid–liquid (POROLIQ 1000 ML) porometers
OUR SERVICES
R&D and Innovation Support
- Intellectual property (IP) assessment, protection strategies, and exploitation pathways
- Regulatory consultancy for medical devices and ATMPs (EU frameworks)
- Guidance on standards compliance and certification requirements
Contractual Research Services
- Fibrosis and cancer (pancreas, mesothelioma and glioblastoma) as tools for drug testing
- Test for Osteogenesis
- Blood facility
- Leachables & Extractables (TOP Lab is a GLP Lab); Support for Regulatory Compliance
- Usability according to IEC 62366-1 and 2
- Characterization of porous membranes;
Finance and Investment Support
- Scouting of EU, national, and regional funding programmes
- Support in the submission of administrative and technical proposals
- Assistance in the project reporting
Entrepreneurship support
- Startup incubation and acceleration services focused in the biomedical and health sector
- Regulatory and intellectual property activities
Technology Transfer Services
- Development of health and pathological human tissue as tools for drug and chemical testing using bioprinting and lung of skin ex vivo
- Development and optimization of hydrophobic porous membranes
- Mechanical, geometric, physical-chemical and porosity characterization of membranes
Training and Capacity Building
- Courses and workshop focused on research, innovation, regulatory, intellectual property and business development
Internationalisation Support
- Support for the dissemination and communication activities in R&D project
- Support for international partnerships
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS
The MedTech Hub has established a strong network of international collaborations that reinforce its scientific excellence and its alignment with European strategic priorities.
These partnerships equip the Hub with a robust European network capable of accelerating technology transfer, supporting participation in EU programmes, and expanding opportunities for collaborative R&D projects. By integrating international expertise with regional strengths, the MedTech Hub reinforces its role as a competitive innovation hub within the STEP framework and as a catalyst for long-term scientific and industrial cooperation across Europe.
KEY PARTNERSHIPS:
- Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Spain
- Focus: 3D bioprinting for artificial retina Development
- Activities & outputs: This collaboration has enabled the co-development of advanced regenerative medicine approaches, including a recent MSCA-funded project.
INFORMATION REQUEST
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