What would it cost to license or adopt these surface treatment methods?+
The project was funded under MSCA-RISE (a research staff exchange scheme) with EUR 1,008,000 in EU contribution, focused on knowledge transfer rather than product commercialization. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium lead, Latvijas Universitate. Costs would depend on which specific technique (sol-gel, LIPSS, or electrospinning) you want to adopt.
Can these coating methods work at industrial production scale?+
Based on available project data, the techniques explored — sol-gel deposition, laser patterning, and electrospinning — are established industrial processes in other sectors. However, the project's MSCA-RISE funding scheme focused on researcher mobility and knowledge exchange rather than scaling up production. Moving to industrial volume would require additional development and validation.
Who owns the intellectual property from this project?+
IP generated under Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE projects is typically owned by the institution whose researchers made the discovery. With 10 partners across 7 countries (Latvia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, UK), IP may be distributed across multiple institutions. A licensing discussion should start with the coordinator, Latvijas Universitate.
What regulatory approvals would be needed to use these implants?+
Dental implants in the EU require CE marking under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745), including biocompatibility testing per ISO 10993 and implant-specific standards. Based on available project data, the research focused on material development and characterization rather than regulatory submission. Any manufacturer would need to run full clinical trials.
How long before these implants could reach the market?+
The project closed in June 2023 after running since January 2018. As an MSCA-RISE knowledge exchange project, the outputs are research findings and trained researchers rather than market-ready products. A realistic path to market would require prototype manufacturing, preclinical testing, and clinical trials — typically adding several more years.
Can these coatings be applied to existing implant designs?+
The surface modification techniques (sol-gel, laser patterning, electrospinning) are designed to be applied to implant surfaces, which suggests compatibility with existing implant geometries. Based on the project objective, the coatings were developed specifically for Zirconium-Titanium alloy substrates, so adaptation to other alloys would need validation.
