Czechimplant a Contipro
Even if a person is fixated on metals, sometimes they encounter something that is only remotely related to those metals, and yet it leaves a significant mark on them. Yesterday’s meeting of the Czechimplant cluster in Dolní Dobrouč at the Contipro company is proof of that.
Although it is almost unspeakable to the layman, Contipro is engaged in the production of hyaluronic acid and products related to it. Hyaluronan is a natural part of the human body. It is found in the intercellular mass and appears in increased concentration in the eyes, in the joint fluid or in the skin. Depending on its molecular weight, it provides various biological effects that are widely used in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetics. Contipro obtains hyaluronic acid from the cell walls of bacteria. They are free of all pathogens and pose no risk to humans and nature. The result of the fermentation process and subsequent cleaning is hyaluronic acid in the form of powder or other forms, such as nanofibers, microfibers, and hydrogels. The company was founded and is still managed by doc. RNDr. Vladimír VELEBNÝ, CSc..
And in addition to having to fulfil their business plan, he is still trying to move forward, especially with new applications and forms. This miraculous acid is used not only in cosmetics or food supplements, but above all in regenerative medicine. It supports the healing of wounds and, with appropriate supplementation, also brings antimicrobial and biological effects to the healing process. In some forms, however, it can also serve as a controlled carrier of medicaments, with their body distribution, not only spatially, but also correct timing. This is also why Contipro has developed a device for spinning hyaluronan, whether in the form of nanofibers or microfibers. Hyaluronan can also exist in the form of a gel or in a basic powder form. What is important, in order for the company to maintain its pace of development, is that it employs more than 100 researchers. And for that, it has almost 4,000 m2 of laboratories at its disposal.
Truly epochal. And when I add it all up and do the math, that’s about a third of all employees. But all of them together generate a turnover of over 1 billion CZK with a profitability of around 40%.
But the reason why Galvamet is part of the Czechimplant cluster, and thus a potential partner for Contipro, is the 3D printing of joint implants made of titanium alloys or CoCr or CoCrMo alloys. These implants are printed by Prospon company and heat treated by Galvamet. And here we are united by a common goal, efficient 3D printing with a guaranteed lifetime of body implants. As I learned from the doctors yesterday, it is a big task, because the reoperation of the joint implant is 3 times more expensive than the first implantation. Thus, the lifespan of 3D printed implants has a great influence on both healthcare costs and the patient’s lifelong well-being.
That is why there was a lecture by doc. Ing. Martina Vrbka, Ph.D. from VUT Brno, Department of Biotribology. This is another problem with 3D printing. The joint implant must have guaranteed fatigue properties as well as tribological properties. And since tribology is the science of friction, wear and lubrication, this is where metal 3D printing using the LB-PBF method, heat treatment including HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) and that miraculous hyaluronic acid find a connection. So, let’s see if we can reach the finish line together like Contipro did. Also, because we never know when we will need it on our own body.
November 3, 2022
Jiří Stanislav
