WHO WE ARE
Tetratherix (formerly Trimph) is an Australian biomedical company that has developed TetraMatrix, a novel class of regenerative scaffolds.
TetraMatrix is a water based solution that forms an adhesive hydrogel once administered to the body. The product is fully synthetic, biocompatible and resorbable. TetraMatrix has been clinically tested, demonstrating both safety and efficacy.
Tetratherix has a robust Intellectual Property portfolio including granted patents in the USA and Europe as well as multiple international patent applications.
After 5 years in development at the University of Sydney, Tetratherix was incorporated in 2015. The company’s Sydney based production facility is ISO13485:2016 certified.
Tetratherix is supported by both NSW and Federal government grants. Tetratherix is backed by Ryder Innovation Fund, a venture capital limited partnership specialising in medtech opportunities.
TECHNOLOGY
Injectable
TetraMatrix is an injectable, water based scaffold that can be administered to without the need for invasive surgery.
Temperature Responsive
At body temperature, TetraMatrix instantly forms an adhesive hydrogel to provide a synthetic extracellular matrix to support tissue repair.
Regenerative
TetraMatrix compliments the healing process by providing an optimised environment for cellular ingrowth and regeneration.
Resorbable
TetraMatrix resorbs to the body over time while host cells repair the damaged tissue.
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Tetratherix has established its own production faciltiy in Sydney, Alexandria. The company’s clean room production facility is fully equipped to manufacture sterile medical device in commercial scales. The infrastructure and the associated quality management system are ISO13485:2016 certified. The company’s in-house production facility is of a great importance for quality control, protection of technology know-hows, product development and production scalability. In addition, the company’s certified production capability facilitates efficient development and corporate partnership.
CLINICAL USE
TetraMatrix has been assessed in two clinical trials. The company has completed its first in-human trial in Perth, Australia and a pivotal trial is underway. The pilot trial involved the use of TetraMatrix for socket preservation, post tooth extraction. In all patients, the device was successfully administered and there was no need for membrane closure or micro-suturing at the extraction site. In follow-up visits, wound closure was noted at seven days post-extraction and there was no sign of infection or inflammation. Three months post-operation, tissue biopsies were collected for histochemical analysis; the results showed that TetraMatrix was fully resorbed and there were no sign pathological abnormalities. In addition, active bone remodelling was also noted at the site.
%
Useability
Easily injectable, instant gelation,
and no device malfunctions
%
Safety
No infection, inflammation
or pain reported
%
Wound Healing
Wound closure noted
at 7 days post-extraction
%
Bone Activity
Active bone remodelling
in all collected tissue samples
TECHNOLOGY
Polymer and peptide bonding
At a molecular level, TetraMatrix is a water based hydrogel comprising of a proprietary patented smart polymer and peptide which are chemically bound to form a uniform structure. Upon injection to the body, TetraMatrix forms an elastic scaffold. The mechanical properties, adhesivity and the resorption rate of TetraMatrix are modifiable to address different clinical indications.
Smart polymer
The smart polymer, denoted as PNPHO, was developed and patented by Tetratherix. PNPHO consists of four main building blocks each monomer is required to impart the unique characteristics of the technology;
- N-isopropylacrylamide to impart temperature curing properties to the matrix
- N-acryloxysuccinimide, to be able to bond with peptides to impart the required structural stability to the hydrogel
- Polylactide/2-hydroxy methacrylate to be able to adjust the mechanical properties of the matrix
- Oligo (ethylene glycol) to form a water based matrix
Peptide
Amine groups of peptides are chemically bound to the succinimide ester units of PNPHO, this process is termed crosslinking. The resorption rate of the final product can be tuned by the degree of crosslinking between PNPHO and a peptide. This allows the formulation of Tetratherix hydrogels with varying physical properties for different clinical applications.
PLATFORMS
TetraMatrix technology is used to develop pipeline products for multiple clinical indications.
TEAM
Chief Executive Officer
DR ALI FATHI
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
TERENCE ABRAMS
Founder & Chief Operating Officer​
DAVID BOTTOMLEY
Director
JEFF REID
Director
Clinical Advisor
Clinical Director
Transactions Advisor
Regulatory Advisor
NEWS AND MEDIA
Trimph: A medtech pioneer startup
An injectable biomaterial that can aid in the regeneration of damaged body tissues such as cartilage, spinal cord and bones will reduce the need for and risks of open surgery. The technology – called Trimph (Temperature-Responsive Modifiable Peptide Hydrogel) – is one of 50 innovations to have snagged a spot in Engineers Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers list.
CONTACT US
For more information or product for research purposes, please contact us.
DR ALI FATHI
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Ali was instrumental in transitioning Tetratherix from a University research project to a tangible corporate entity. Ali developed Tetratherix’s technology during his PhD at the University of Sydney. Ali’s biochemical and entrepreneurial aptitude provide both the technological and commercial expertise upon which Tetratherix is based.
TERENCE ABRAMS
Founder & Chief Operating Officer​
Terence’s Chemical Engineering background and his pervious experiences as CTO and Production Manager of two biomedical start-up companies provide the expertise necessary to manage Tetratherix’s production and further product development. Terence was instrumental in securing the capital investments, necessary to co-found Tetratherix. Terence will oversee all future business and product development of the company.
WILL KNOX
Chief Executive Officer
Will comes from a combined clinical & commercial background and has been working with Tetratherix since 2019, being integral in defining the commercial strategy of the Tetratherix business. He brings 20 years of leadership & entrepreneurial experience that includes the development & commercialisation of medical innovations focused on regenerative & reconstructive technologies with a range of leading corporations such as Cochlear, Medtronic and multiple private equity investments locally and abroad. In addition, he has been the founder of several medical technology businesses that he has built through to acquisition – the most recent being acquired by Device Technologies, the largest medical technology distribution business in the region.
DAVID BOTTOMLEY
Director
David co-founded investment firm Ryder Capital in 2008 and is a principal of the Ryder Innovation Fund, LP an early-stage venture capital fund specialising in medtech and technology opportunities. David has over 20 years’ experience in corporate finance, M&A, and investment advisory. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economic History), Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. Prior to co-founding Ryder, David held executive positions at Kleinwort Benson (UK Corporate Finance), Merrill Lynch & Co (London) investment bank and from 2004 – 2008 was the Australian managing director of US-based life sciences investment bank GMCG, LLC where he advised a number of Australian life science, biotech, and healthcare companies on M&A, financing, and strategy.
JEFF REID
Director
After graduating with a science degree (neurosc.) from Macquarie University, Jeff worked in the pharmaceutical industry within bone regeneration technology for a number of years. Following this Jeff moved into the medical device sector, managing sales functions for businesses within the spinal and orthopaedic markets. Jeff then launched a spinal technology business – AustSpine – in 2007. AustSpine was acquired by LifeHealthcare in 2010 and Jeff worked as the General Manager of the Spine Division until 2012. Jeff has continued to manage medical technology projects, distribution and investments across nanotechnology, interventional cardiology, orthopaedic software and biologic innovation. Jeff is a Director of 360 Med Care and currently works as a Senior Business Manager at Device Technologies after the digital health and therapeutic biologic business he co-founded with Will Knox was acquired by them in 2017.
PROFESSOR DAVID CURROW
Clinical Advisor
Professor David Currow is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS). Professor Currow is an expert in translational research and the Chief Cancer Officer of NSW and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Institute NSW. Professor Currow is passionate about the use of minimally invasive techniques, to enhance patients’ health outcome post surgeries and other treatments. Professor Currow is past president of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia and Palliative Care Australia. Professor Currow has served on the American Society of Clinical Oncology and been on faculty for the Australia & Asia Pacific Clinical Oncology Research Development workshops (ACORD). Professor Currow provides Trimph with scientific expertise in the fields of clinical trial design and public health priorities.
DR DAX CALDER
Clinical Director
Dr Dax Calder is a member of Tetratherix’s clinical advisory team. Dax is a specialist periodontist with teaching positions at the University of Sydney and University of Western Australia. Dr Calder has spent more than 20 years of his professional career trying to simplify and improve techniques relating to dental implant surgeries and bone augmentation procedures.
ROB MCINNES
Transactions Advisor
Rob McInnes holds the position of Board Secretary, Licensing Executives Society International. For nearly a decade, Rob has been ranked as Australia’s highest recommended patent and technology licensing lawyer. He specializes in the commercialisation of novel technologies, and in the intellectual property-related aspects of major corporate transactions. He is an expert in the structuring and negotiation of contracts for the development and commercialisation of innovations.
AOIFA BROGAN
Regulatory Advisor
Aoifa Brogan is a professional medical device regulatory affairs and quality management specialist with more than 15 years of experience across all device classes and therapeutic areas. Aoifa held various Regulatory Affairs roles living and working in Europe, the US and Australia. Aoifa was a senior regulatory affair specialist in multinational companies including Medtronic Ltd. Aoifa has been instrumental in establishing Trimph’s Quality Management System, obtaining ISO13485:2016 accreditation and clinical development strategy.
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