Cheaper heart valve technology from Cape Town

The Bidvest Group and government's Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) are investing a combined R30-million in a University of Cape Town (UCT) start-up company that is pioneering a way of replacing heart valves that doesn't require open-heart surgery.

By Claire Bisseker

17 Jul 2012

Southern Access Technologies Holdings (SATH) was founded by Prof Peter Zilla, the head of cardio-thoracic surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital, and Prof David Williams, a world authority in medical engineering based in the United States.

They have, with the assistance of polymer technologist Deon Bezuidenhoudt, designed a polyurethane heart valve that is expected to sell for under $1 000 in developing countries, compared with current heart valve prostheses, which cost between $5 000-$30 000.

They have also invented a deployment device for the valve that does away with the need for open-heart surgery, making the procedure more accessible in poor countries.

With the additional funding (this is the second amount of R12-million invested by the TIA), SATH will develop its prototypes and test them in late 2013.

The new technology will add to the Western Cape's growing reputation as a biotech hub. "It also shows that SA can compete in the global arena when it comes to the manufacturing of medical devices," says the TIA's Sibongile Gumbi.

Source: Financial Mail via I-Net Bridge.