Austen BioInnovation Institute, Nottingham Spirk Announce Partnership

The Austen BioInnovation Institute (ABIA) in Akron, Ohio, and Cleveland-based Nottingham Spirk are teaming up to accelerate the rate of commercialization of biomedical devices and products.

As part of the arrangement, ABIA will provide its team of medical device, regulatory and biomaterials experts to help test the usability of Nottingham Spirk-designed products, and to help guide those products through the complex federal approval process. ABIA will provide access to doctors, healthcare professionals and patients to bolster consumer research initiatives. In addition, Nottingham Spirk can take advantage of ABIA’s 30,000-square-foot medical simulation center, which featuers nine surgical bays, a configurable mock hospital and patient exam rooms to test new products in an environment that simulates real-world conditions.

“I see a great potential for synergy between our two organizations, leveraging our individual capabilities to ultimately create great products that make a substantial impact on patient care and its delivery,” John Spirk, co-founder of Nottingham Spirk, said in a news release. “Together, we can enhance business competitiveness, quality, cost-effectiveness, and productivity, while expanding offerings to new markets.”

ABIA recently announced a new strategy centered on offering its services medical device and advance materials companies, health care systems, companies interested in entering medical markets, individual inventors and entrepreneurs, as well as colleges and universities, to boost Northeast Ohio’s economy and enhance its reputation as a region for patient-centered innovation.

“This partnership extends ABIA’s abilities to accelerate biomedical innovation,” ABIA President/CEO Dr. Frank L. Douglas said. “We are excited at the potential of partnering with Nottingham Spirk, which has an international reputation for design excellence. Our process for technology commercialization and entrepreneurship teamed with Nottingham Spirk’s business innovation leadership creates a powerful alliance that will bring new medical ideas to market.”

Nottingham Spirk helped develop one of the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners with patient comfort in mind. The firm built on that experience to create a new generation of design in MRI technology. 

“We formed this partnership in the joint belief that biomedical innovation will improve healthcare across the country and enhance the region’s reputation for entrepreneurial energy,” said Vikki Nowak, Nottingham Spirk’s vice president. “Innovation builds upon itself. We see a bright future for biomedical innovation with ABIA, and within the entire Northeast Ohio region.”

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation fueled the launch of the institute with a seven-year, $20 million grant in 2008, but that funding expires this year. Last month, the foundation agreed to provide up to $4 million in additional funding and the State of Ohio pledged to kick in another $1 million to expand ABIA’s advanced medical prototyping center and to purchase additional advanced manufacturing equipment.