Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN;LSE:SN), the global medical technology business, is proud to announce it will co-sponsor the 2014 Massachusetts Medical Device Development (M2D2) Center’s New Venture Competition. Designed to showcase innovative ideas coming out of early-stage medical device companies, the nationwide competition this year will focus on Joint Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Trauma.

The prizes will total $50,000 of in-kind services including facilities, engineering, legal, business and medical device assistance from Smith & Nephew and the competition co-sponsors, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP and M2D2, a joint initiative of the University of Massachusetts’ Lowell and Worcester campuses.

‘We’re excited about this collaboration,’ explains Dr. Ruth Cheng, Director of Innovation for Smith & Nephew. ‘Not only does it build on our reputation as innovation leaders; it helps us foster relationships with those entrepreneurs who are on the cutting edge of the growth areas we target.’

‘M2D2 is grateful for the Smith & Nephew’s support for the New Venture Competition and entrepreneurs and startups in the medical-device sector,’ said Steven Tello, UMass Lowell’s associate vice chancellor for entrepreneurship and economic development. ‘We are honored to work with a company that exemplifies success in the industry in Massachusetts and around the globe.’

For the competition, Smith & Nephew has identified five areas where innovation will help address current and future needs in orthopaedic reconstruction, sports medicine, and trauma:

• Tools which enable procedure
  simplification: Solutions
  would reduce procedural steps, shorten overall procedure time, provide
  surgeons with greater confidence, and/or ensure consistency from procedure
  to procedure.
• Tissue sparing procedures: Solutions would shorten recovery time,
  decrease the incision/number of portals, and/or reduce bone removal/soft
  tissue damage, and/or minimize potential for human error.
• Stabilization of and integration/fixation
  to bone: Solutions would
  provide high fixation strength both immediately and long-term, and work
  regardless of bone density.
• Novel soft tissue repair: Solutions would provide or restore the
  alignment and functionality of the target tissue immediately and long
  term, and be minimally invasive.
• Joint preservation solutions: Solutions would provide effective
  protection of joints, and be minimally invasive. Solution can be either
  short-term or long-term/permanent. Early intervention solutions preferred.

All applicants must submit an initial application which will be reviewed by M2D2. Fifteen finalists will then be invited to present their concepts in-person at a public event at M2D2’s offices on March 26, 2014.

For more information on the competition and how to apply, companies should visit www.uml.edu/M2D2.