NuShores Biosciences gets $2.8 million contract to automate processes
by October 10, 2020 1:54 pm 852 views
NuShores Biosciences LLC has won a three-year, $2.8 million contract from the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), a 501(c)(3) biomedical technology consortium associated with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command.
The contract, which was announced this week, will enable NuShores to develop intelligent automated production of its NuCress bone void filler scaffold products using its “factory in a box” concept. Key collaborators on the project include MiQ Partners (Cincinnati, Ohio) and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
The work will be led by NuShores’ CEO Sharon Ballard and supported by NuShores’ manufacturing manager Mark Pelo, a 27-year veteran of the implantable medical devices industry who joined the company in July 2020.
“This project will enable NuShores to compete globally in pricing and performance and to accelerate the maturity of emerging products in our pipeline,” Pelo said.
Recently, NuShores established one of the only medical device clean manufacturing facilities in Arkansas, it said.
“This new contract will enable us to develop an intelligent, hands-free factory in a box with features such as real-time situational awareness that anticipates failures or production challenges before they cause waste. Our factory in a box concept will reduce human error to increase quality and meet regulatory standards”, said Ballard.
Founded in 2014, NuShores is the licensee of UA Little Rock’s bone regeneration products, which have been developed primarily with U.S. Department of Defense funding. NuShores has positioned itself to become a leader in regenerative medicine.
“UA Little Rock is pleased to continue its productive collaboration with NuShores. Research is a cornerstone of our university, and we look forward to seeing these tangible results,” said Dr. Brian Berry, UA Little Rock Vice Provost for Research.