Aliform is a US-Dutch MedTech startup that develops novel surgical instruments for plastic reconstructive surgery, with a focus on treating various skin conditions. Aliform aims to revolutionize the field of aesthetic medicine by introducing a unique device that minimizes side effects, enhances procedure efficacy, and ensures affordability for both physicians and patients.
By working with Medace, they are taking important steps towards readying their device for clinical use with the ambition to enter the US market in July 2024. Within Medace’s cleanroom facility, they have assembled their device components, following rigorous quality and compliance standards.
Aliform’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer Victor Suturin, a biomedical scientist with a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology, travelled to Maastricht to manufacture their device at the Medace facility. Victor describes their mission: “We have a device that we designed to treat a range of skin conditions, primarily cellulite, but also scars and other procedures. It’s a single-use surgical instrument aiming to minimize side effects, enhance procedure efficacy, and ensure affordability for both physicians and patients.”
Aliform has recently completed the first batches of their device within one of Medace’s ISO 8 cleanrooms. With the help of Medace, they have assembled the device components, adhering strictly to the procedures outlined by their Quality Management System (QMS). The goal was to successfully produce hundreds of devices within a remarkably short timeframe, meeting their target deadline, which they achieved. In addition, they have gathered important data and confirmation of manufacturability of their product.
Victor elaborates on the benefits of working with Medace: “What made us choose to work with Medace was the possibility of being fully in control of key manufacturing processes. Medace serves as a hub for putting the device together – parts, inspections, clean room assembly, and other manufacturing processes if needed. It allows us to be in control of the final product and significantly reduces the lag between iterations.”
Victor also highlights the importance of flexibility and agility for startups in healthcare innovation, “Medace allows us to bridge the gap and retain our startup spirit; they are a crucial factor in our ability to stay agile in the complex landscape of healthcare innovation. Outsourcing to a large, slow corporate entity can lead to sticky situations. Startups need to be agile and Medace delivers just that. Reliance on external providers with slow processes simply hinder progress too much.”
Victor expresses gratitude for Medace’s flexibility and support: “Medace is accommodating to our needs, providing the support required for the unique challenges faced by startups in healthcare innovation. Medace also shares valuable insights and provides information about what we’re getting into. It builds trust and confidence in the collaboration.”
Victor also offers a compelling perspective on the broader ecosystem: “Founders of ecosystems should understand the importance of funding startup-friendly manufacturing solutions. It’s not just about throwing money at research; startups need support in navigating the manufacturing challenges inherent in healthcare innovation.”
As Aliform gears up for its US market entry and looks toward the future, Victor envisions scalability with Medace: “We believe we can scale up significantly with Medace, producing thousands of devices. The demand is strong, and we want to make a real impact in the market.”
In closing, Victor emphasizes the need for continued financial support for manufacturing solutions: “If we want startups to thrive and not perish in the early stages, we need more initiatives like Medace. Real ecosystem building requires proper funding to ensure startups can focus on innovation without compromising their independence.”
“What made us choose to work with Medace was the possibility of being fully in control of key manufacturing processes combined with the flexibility startups require.”
– Victor Suturin (CEO and Founder at Aliform)
About Aliform
Aliform is a US-Dutch MedTech startup that develops novel surgical instruments for plastic reconstructive surgery, with a focus on treating various skin conditions. The technological platform, Aliform™, is market disruptive and stands for a paradigm shift in aesthetic medicine. Aliform’s vision is to become the dominant global provider of unique surgical devices suited for skin treatments. Aliform is a privately held company.
