Austen BioInnovation Institute, Lubrizol strike strategic partnership

The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) and Lubrizol have entered into a strategic partnership that involves research and development around medical applications of polymers and specialty chemicals.

The partnership gives Wickliffe, Ohio-based Lubrizol access to the ABIA’s expertise in polymers, wound care and orthopedics. The ABIA, in return, will be able to leverage Lubrizol’s experience in research and development in polymers and specialty chemicals, according to a statement from the ABIA.

The collaboration “provides an opportunity to … enhance new product development efforts in biomaterial applications in orthopedics and wound care,” said Frank Douglas, chief executive with the ABIA.

The ABIA recently announced a collaborative effort with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The goal of the collaboration is to help the FDA more effectively regulate the safety and performance of biomaterials and polymers when they’re used in the manufacture of medical devices.

The ABIA itself was formed as a result of the collaboration among several Akron institutions: Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Health System, The University of Akron and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Photo from flickr user Horia Varlan