SiNAPTIC Technologies focuses on development and on-demand manufacturing of additive manufactured technical ceramics for industries ranging from aerospace and defense to medical, semiconductors, transportation, electronics, and industrial manufacturing. (Image courtesy SiNAPTIC Technologies)
LAFAYETTE, Colo.—New funding will help SiNAPTIC Technologies further the development of its printable silicon nitride slurry through testing toward the submission of an FDA Master File. The funding comes in the form of a recently awarded Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Accelerator program, the company said in a release.
SiNAPTIC Technologies is a contract manufacturer that is dedicated to the development and on-demand manufacturing of additive manufactured technical ceramics. By offering a wide range of ceramic materials, the company said it accelerates applications across multiple industries, including aerospace and defense, medical, semiconductors, transportation, electronics, and industrial manufacturing.
“SiNAPTIC Technologies is passionate about serial production and contract manufacturing of technical ceramics to help customers overcome product design issues associated with traditional ceramic manufacturing,” said SiNAPTIC CEO Bryan Scheer, M.D., in the release. “Upon the completion of this grant-funded project, we will attract innovators wanting to license our silicon nitride slurry to develop their own medical products for the regulatory benefits offered by the Master File.”
The Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant supports businesses that are commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. These grants are said to “promote the growth and sustainability of advanced industries across the state by driving the types of innovation that move this vital part of the Colorado economy forward.”
SiNAPTIC Technologies was awarded $250,000 to conduct biocompatibility testing and process validation activities toward the submission of an FDA Master File for its printable silicon nitride slurry. An additional portion of the awarded funds will be used to hire and train three Colorado-based technical personnel that will be crucial to the development of the Master File and production ramp-up. The project is expected to improve customer access to additively manufactured silicon nitride for medical and industrial applications.
“Across the state, companies are rethinking existing technologies and inventing new ones within the advanced industries sector,” said OEDIT Advanced Industries Senior Manager Rama Haris, in the release. “Their success will create good-paying jobs in Colorado and has the potential to change lives across the state and beyond. We are thrilled to be able to support their development and look forward to celebrating future accomplishments.”
“SiNAPTIC is [composed] of two business divisions, SiNAPTIC Technologies and SiNAPTIC Surgical, with each having a different focus,” said SiNAPTIC Chief Operating Officer Hugh Roberts, in the release. “SiNAPTIC Technologies provides R&D and prototyping through scaled OEM manufacturing, whereas SiNAPTIC Surgical is focused on becoming an FDA registered, fully integrated original medical device producer. SiNAPTIC Technologies responds to the numerous inquiries from OEMs across various industries to support with ceramic 3D printing services—from design, development, and prototyping to serial production at industrial scale.”
According to SiNAPTIC Grant Coordinator Kevin Altman, “The SiNAPTIC team has invested and continues to invest so much time and effort to convey the value that ceramic additive manufacturing can offer to domestic industry. I am elated that we are receiving recognition, both for our hard work and for the innovative potential of our printable silicon nitride, through the Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant,” he said in the release.
According to the release, the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program was created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries. It does so by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early stage capital and creating a strong infrastructure that increases the state’s capacity to be globally competitive, the release said.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, the OEDIT strives to advance the state’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado.