Southern Access Technologies Holdings (SATH) was founded by Prof Peter Zilla, the head of cardio-thoracic surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital, and Prof David Williams, a world authority in medical engineering based in the United States.
They have, with the assistance of polymer technologist Deon Bezuidenhoudt, designed a polyurethane heart valve that is expected to sell for under $1 000 in developing countries, compared with current heart valve prostheses, which cost between $5 000-$30 000.
They have also invented a deployment device for the valve that does away with the need for open-heart surgery, making the procedure more accessible in poor countries.
With the additional funding (this is the second amount of R12-million invested by the TIA), SATH will develop its prototypes and test them in late 2013.
The new technology will add to the Western Cape's growing reputation as a biotech hub. "It also shows that SA can compete in the global arena when it comes to the manufacturing of medical devices," says the TIA's Sibongile Gumbi.
Source: Financial Mail via I-Net Bridge.
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