The project protocol for the "Development and Commercialization of Personalized Implant Infrastructure" project, which established our University's Medical Device Design and Production Application and Research Center, abbreviated as METAM, was signed between the TTSO, KTU, and DOKA.

The signing ceremony, held at the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA), saw the participation of our Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah ÇUVALCI, Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTSO) Board Chairman Erkut ÇELEBİ, and Eastern Black Sea Development Agency Secretary General Kemal AKPINAR, who signed the protocol on behalf of the project parties. TTSO Vice Chairman Ahmet KAZAZ and Board Member Cesur GERİGELMEZ were also present at the signing ceremony. The project, with a total budget of 47.3 million lira, aims to provide services to Trabzon and the region, as well as the entire country.

The Center Will Produce Personalized Implants

With contributions from the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Industry and Technology Commission and support from the 2024 Attraction Centers Support Program (CMDP), a pioneering center in Türkiye will be established in the field of personalized biocompatible implant design and production using modern 3D printing technologies and advanced manufacturing infrastructures. The project aims to develop innovative medical devices and train qualified healthcare professionals. Personalized prosthetics and implants will be produced for the first time in Türkiye under the new Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), in a cleanroom environment, and certified with the CE Mark before being delivered to end-users. The project will increase the number of commercialized products from 20 to 100 and the number of established and developed laboratories from 4 to 8.

The Center Will Reduce Imported Products in the Health Sector

Among the expected outcomes of the project is the design of products that can replace imported products. A statement from the Center mentioned, "Making these products competitive in the domestic market will contribute to the region’s economic development and reduce Türkiye’s dependence on medical device imports. Similar companies in Türkiye will conduct one or more activities in the implant sector’s value chain, including R&D, planning-design, printing, distribution, surgical application, monitoring, feedback, and evaluation of results. KTU, with its hospital providing patient care, academic surgeons and engineers, and ongoing R&D activities, is the only center in Türkiye capable of performing all processes in the value chain in-house without outsourcing any service. Moreover, METAM will be the only institution in Türkiye combining tissue work with implant applications, leading the way to ensure that our country keeps up with global developments in the sector. Additionally, health tourism is developing in Trabzon, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is implementing the HISER project in the field of health tourism. Patients in need of personalized implants, particularly from Georgia, the Caucasus region, and Russia, will be attracted to Trabzon, and KTU will become a regional attraction center."

METAM Will Be the Only Institution in Türkiye in Its Field

With its application for the Product Tracking System (UTS) and Health Application Communiqué (SUT), METAM aims to become the only institution in Türkiye where personalized implant applications can be ordered by hospitals, with the Social Security Institution (SGK) covering the patient’s implant costs. At this stage, support from the CMDP will play a crucial role in increasing the product size and variety.

 

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