BIOabsorbable Metallic ENDovascular Medical Devices (BIOMEND) Doctoral Network

BIOMEND is an Industrial Doctorate Network (DN) programme that will provide world-class interdisciplinary training to 15 high-achieving doctoral candidates (DCs) in the area of BIOabsorbable Metallic ENdovascular Medical Devices (BIOMEND). The consortium spans seven European countries and comprises of leading academic, clinical and industry experts to promote international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral aspects of DC skill development. The research objective of BIOMEND is to develop next-generation bioabsorbable metals for endovascular medical devices for both cardiovascular and peripheral applications. BIOMEND will achieve this through the development of ultra-fine grain Magnesium and Zinc alloys that exhibit high strength, excellent creep performance and high ductility, with enhanced corrosion properties delivered by multi-layer coating technologies. These novel Magnesium and Zinc metal alloys will be leveraged to develop, design and fabricate a range of innovate bioabsorbable metallic endovascular medical devices across both cardiovascular and peripheral applications. Pre-clinical evaluation will be conducted to demonstrate enhanced functional performance of bioabsorbable metal endovascular medical devices in both acute and long-term animal models. These medical devices have the potential to be technology disruptors in endovascular medicine and all DCs will be involved in establishing a clear roadmap for their commercialisation through exploitation activities. Apart from these technological breakthroughs, BIOMEND programme will make significant scientific impact by developing novel ultra-fine grain Mg & Zn alloys and establishing new structure-property-processing relationships describing their performance. The comprehensive skillset delivered by the programme will enhance career development and employability of DCs within the Medical Technology sector and promote their development into leading innovators in the European Medical Technology sector.