Oxford Performance Materials And Yale University Announce Joint Research Program To Develop Innovative And Cost-Effective 3D Printed Biomedical Technologies And Applications

First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Combines Advanced Materials Science, 3D Printing, and Biomedical & Clinical Expertise in a Broad Strategic Partnership to Deliver Patient-Specific Solutions and Other Biomedical Products

South Windsor, CT (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Oxford Performance Materials Inc. (OPM), a leading advanced materials and additive manufacturing (3D printing) company, today announced the commencement of an extensive joint research program with Yale University to develop innovative and cost-effective 3D printed biomedical technologies and applications. This initiative will add renowned clinical expertise to OPM's comprehensive platform for device development, made up of OPM's proprietary OXPEKK® formulation of the high performance polymer poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK), the Company's additive manufacturing process, and its streamlined regulatory framework.

The Yale-OPM joint research program will consist of ten distinct projects, featuring seven Yale faculty members, exploring a range of biomedical applications for 3D printing and PEKK. Projects include the development of new PEKK-based cranial and facial devices that support direct tissue attachment and 3D printed PEKK prosthesis for rib replacement. Projects also include 3D printed PEKK devices that deliver therapeutics for improved vertebral fusion as well as devices that deliver antibiotics to combat the pressing burden of implant associated infections.

"We are excited to announce this broad collaboration with Yale's distinguished team of biomedical engineering and clinical experts," said Dr. Adam Hacking, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Oxford Performance Materials. "Our comprehensive medical device development platform will support the innovation and dedication to improving patient care for which Yale and its faculty are recognized. Together, we foresee the development and delivery of new medical technologies and applications in ways that were previously not possible. OPM has made significant progress with our PEKK-based platform, and we are continuing to advance this technology to improve patient outcomes with our partners at Yale."

"This joint research program between Yale University and Oxford Performance Materials is a prime example of the types of collaborations that we are working to develop and nurture here in Connecticut," said Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy. "Our state has long been an incubator for scientific, technological and medical innovation, and this program has the potential to yield significant benefits to society through 3D printing, advanced materials science and strategic partnership between private industry and academia. This is how innovation is fostered in the 21st century economy, and we are proud to support both Yale and OPM as they embark on this groundbreaking research right here in Connecticut."

In 2013, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development supported the expansion of OPM's South Windsor, Connecticut manufacturing facility with a $3.2 million loan for new machinery and equipment, as well as building upgrades.

"PEKK is biocompatible, radiolucent, strong and durable. 3D printing enables the facile fabrication of complex geometries. In combination, these technologies present new and previously unavailable opportunities to develop and deliver customized, patient-specific therapies that are also economically viable," said Professor Mark Saltzman, PhD, Yale's Goizueta Foundation Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Chair of Biomedical Engineering. "We are looking forward to working with Dr. Hacking and his team at OPM on these joint research initiatives that are designed to improve how personalized medicine is developed and delivered to patients."

Since 1999, the founders of OPM have been developing advanced applications of PEKK and proprietary manufacturing processes for biomedical, aerospace, and industrial products. The result of this development is a superior value proposition known as "high performance additive manufacturing" or HPAM™. OPM is a pioneer in personalized medicine. In February 2013, OPM became the only company to receive FDA clearance to manufacture 3D printed polymeric implants for its PEKK cranial devices, and OPM received a second FDA clearance for its patient-specific facial implants in July 2014. OPM was also the recipient of the New Economy "Most Innovative Company in 3D Healthcare Technology" Award in 2014.

About Oxford Performance Materials, Inc.
Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) is a recognized leader in 3D printing and high performance additive manufacturing (HPAM™). OPM has developed a range of advanced materials technology focused on the high performance polymer, poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK). OPM is the first company to successfully apply additive manufacturing solutions to PEKK by utilizing the company's proprietary OXPEKK® formulation and delivers enterprise level, functional end-use products to the biomedical, aerospace and industrial markets. A pioneer in personalized medicine, OPM became the only company to receive FDA clearance to manufacture 3D printed patient-specific polymeric implants for its cranial prostheses line in February 2013, and its Biomedical division received a second 510(k) for its patient-specific facial implants in July 2014. OPM's Aerospace & Industrial division has been fulfilling critical development contracts for parts in a range of aircraft applications in commercial, defense, and space with its proprietary HPAM™ technology. For more information, please visit: http://www.oxfordpm.com/.

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