€1.4 million for development of biomaterial for breast reconstruction after surgery

By Team IO

One in seven women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. More than 50 per cent opt for breast reconstruction. Eindhoven-based VivArt-X will work with partners over the next three years to create a synthetic material that helps restore healthy breast tissue after breast surgery. An amount of €1.4 million has been earmarked for the project.

Funding VivArt-X should improve life of women after breast-conserving surgery

VivArt-X is developing a biodegradable biomaterial to regenerate tissue, with which the company can help patients with breast cancer better survive the transplanted fat.

The Eindhoven startup will work with Smart BioMaterials Consortium (SBMC) and TU/e for the next three years. The research could have a major impact on public health. The new personalised method, in which the body’s own cells form healthy breast tissue, should result in fewer reoperations, better recovery and a better quality of life after breast surgery.

TU/e is contributing its knowledge and facilities; SBMC will be responsible for accelerating product development and quality assurance. Screening of the new material and improvement of cell-material interactions will be carried out in SBMC’s development laboratory, on the TU/e campus.

VivArt-X was one of the winners of the Gerard & Anton Awards 2023.