High-tech firm from Singen, Germany, alongside HTGF (High-Tech Gründerfonds) and MBG co-invest: stimOS GmbH wins WEFA as strategic partner

August 4, 2020

WEFA Inotec GmbH (WEFA) – a German market leader in extrusion tooling, precision technology and CVD coatings – became a Series A investor in stimOS GmbH (stimOS), a South-Germany-based medical technology company: Despite the Covid-19 turbulent times, uncertainty and unknown entrepreneurial risks, stimOS was able to acquire substantial funding to allow further company expansion. The investment will be used to turn the patented “Mimicking Bone Technology (MBT)” into an internationally industrial benchmark and to establish the technology as the golden standard for osseointegrative implant surfaces. Furthermore, by doing so, stimOS wishes to promote this Southern German region (4-Länder-Region Bodensee), next to the already acclaimed Tuttlingen region, as a driver of innovation in the field of medical technology.

To give the patient the best possible chances of recovery and a pain-free life after surgery, stimOS GmbH has developed MBT, a biochemical process that initiates the formation of healthy bone, has anti-inflammatory effects, provides acute anchoring of the implants and improves healing substantially. In order to set up serial production for these implants, WEFA is investing in the Constance-based company, while HTGF, MBG and founding partner Dietmar Schaffarczyk are increasing their shares.

“MBT has the potential to set new standards in implant coatings,” reports Priv. Doz. Dr. Andreas Schwitalla, Charité, University of Medicine, Berlin. The Charité, Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterial Research, Berlin, together with the University of Zurich, subjected stimOS implants to a stress test and is convinced of the results. “With MBT, we are able to modify and design implant surfaces in such a way that implants are not perceived by the patient’s body as a (disturbing) foreign body, but act as a bone-identical interface between the implant and the surrounding anatomy,” explains stimOS managing director Dietmar Schaffarczyk.

Cell-attractive and anti-inflammatory – MBT: Stealth technology for implants

With MBT, stimOS offers surgeons and their patients, a completely new solution. Instead of relying on existing coating technologies, the company restructures implant materials in a biochemical way by using a covalently bonded activation layer: MBT imparts cell-biological properties onto inert materials, as known from nature and naturally occurring in the patient’s body

“With WEFA as our strategic partner, we welcome an innovation-driven, medium-sized high-tech company,” says Dietmar Schaffarczyk. “Our contribution will serve to expand our coating and materials expertise and strengthen the business location,” adds Dr. Joachim Maier, one of the managing directors of the WEFA Group. “It is important for us to support the Constance-based company with our manufacturing know-how as well,” agrees Managing Director Oliver Maier, his brother.

stimOS is already EU-certified as a medical technology company. The MBT process is currently being adapted for high volumes in order to ensure comprehensive patient care. With highly esteemed academic partners in the Charité University in Berlin, the University of Zurich, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Applied Sciences in Constance already in place, industrial cooperation with leading, internationally active implant manufacturers are also underway.

“We are convinced of the solution developed by stimOS GmbH,” explains Dr. Anke Cassing, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF. “MBT addresses a problem that is currently placing a heavy burden on both patients and health insurance companies. Frank Kraheberger, Head of VC Fund, MBG adds: “Implant revisions are at the expense of the patient’s health and – in a high number of cases – lead to considerable burdens on the health sector. We are pleased to be able to further promote this urgently needed material development with our additional investment.

About stimOS
stimOS GmbH was founded in Constance in 2015 and was able to obtain ISO 13485:2016 certification as a medical technology manufacturer as early as 2017. stimOS develops innovative processes for the refinement, functionalization and activation of implant materials. As a service provider, stimOS makes this technology available to implant manufacturers. In addition, the company offers services in the field of product development and approval and, with SpineFuseMBT, develops implants for spinal surgery.

Contact
stimOS GmbH
Byk-Gulden-Straße 2
D-78467 Constance
zyk@stimos.net
www.stimos.net
Follow stimOS on Twitter: @med_stimos

About WEFA (www.wefa.com)
WEFA started out as a subsidiary of Alusuisse in 1972. After the management buy-out and the strategic reorientation, the company specialized in the ultra-modern production of aluminum extrusion dies. The profiles produced with these dies are used in the automotive and construction industries as well as in electrical engineering, among others. The development and patenting of the CVD-coated extrusion dies CED® enabled WEFA to become the world market leader. The customers of the Southern German top-rating company include leading aluminum groups as well as innovative medium-sized extrusion plants. Today, the quality and environmentally certified family business WEFA is present at five locations in Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and the USA and employs around 250 people.

About MBG
Although only active in Baden-Württemberg, MBG (Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg) is one of the most frequent equity capital providers in Germany. It currently provides equity capital of € 220 million to mare than 800 Baden-Württemberg based companies.

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With around EUR 900 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge almost 600 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial technology, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2.5 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,600 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies. Investors in the public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and 32 companies. Our Fund Investors
www.htgf.de/en

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Dr, Anke Caßing, Senior Investment Manager
T.: +49/228 82 300 148
a.cassing@htgf.de