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Launch of EU Research Project APRICOT: Novel Implants for Osteoarthritis Patients

First FET Open Project in Eurice Portfolio

The seven partners collaborating in the European FET Open project APRICOT aim to develop a radically new type of implant for the treatment of osteoarthritis of small joints in the hand. This novel polymer-based material will not require invasive surgery and enables the preservation of healthy bone and tissue, which makes it outperform currently available techniques. To achieve this ambitious goal, the project will receive EUR 3 million funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme over the next four years.

As one of seven European partners, Eurice takes responsibility for the coordination and implementation of the project’s communication, dissemination and exploitation activities with a particular focus on innovation management support. APRICOT is the first FET Open project within the Eurice portfolio and has successfully kicked off its activities with a first meeting in Southampton, UK, on 11-12 November 2019.

With an ageing population being one of the main causes for growing rates of osteoarthritis throughout Europe, the rise of electronic handheld devices has also increased the potential for finger joint arthritis in young adults. Improved bone regeneration solutions are urgently needed, as currently available implants are invasive, sacrifice large amounts of tissue and, most critically, do not restore the original mobility of the joint, which can lead to pain and discomfort in the patients’ everyday lives.

The new research consortium APRICOT has now set out to develop a novel, extremely thin, self-lubricating implant that is placed between the articulating surfaces of the affected joint. It is minimally invasive, bone conserving and suitable for patients of all ages.

“Restoring the natural range of motion of finger joints, APRICOT will go beyond current implant solutions, helping patients return to their normal day-to-day lives”, said Professor Martin Browne from the University of Southampton, UK, coordinator of the project. “APRICOT will have a significant societal impact potentially reducing the burden of pain for millions of osteoarthritis sufferers and relieving healthcare systems as a whole.”

A team of world-leading experts in the fields of implant development, surface functionalisation, additive manufacturing and biocompatibility assessment have been brought together to realise this vision. In addition to the generation of intellectual property across a wide range of technologies, demonstration of proof of principle will increase stakeholder investment, and further support will enable the implant to undergo clinical trials.

Project Key Facts

  • Title: APRICOT – Anatomically Precise Revolutionary Implant for bone Conserving Osteoarthritis Treatment
  • Funding: Horizon 2020 FET-Open
  • Start: 1 October 2019
  • Duration: 48 months
  • Budget: 3,253,045.00€
  • Coordinator: University of Southampton, UK

Project Partners

  • AURORA Medical LTD, UK
  • EURICE - European Research and Project Office GmbH, Germany
  • Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Germany
  • Goeteborgs Universitet, Sweden
  • Universiteit Twente, Netherlands
  • University of Southampton, UK
  • Technische Universtität München, Germany
The APRICOT Partners at the Kick-off Meeting in Southampton
The APRICOT Partners at the Kick-off Meeting in Southampton
About Eurice

Eurice offers knowledge-based consultancy services in project and innovation management.

Eurice Head Office
Heinrich-Hertz-Allee 1
66386 St. Ingbert
Germany
Phone: +49 6894 388130
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Eurice Berlin
Alt-Reinickendorf 25
13407 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 30 374415840
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