“The medical device industry is vast and encompasses so many specialties,” comments Scott Phillips, Founder and President of StarFish Medical, “It can be difficult to find one resource that addresses all aspects of the process, so we thought we would contribute our knowledge and expertise through an easily accessible medium.” Having successfully developed a wide variety of medical devices for use in a broad range of medical settings and specialties, StarFish has a wealth of information and experience from which to draw when speaking to all aspects of medical device design and development.

Authors of the company blog each contribute according to their own field of expertise and role within the company.  Topics discussed include technical issues related to medical device engineering, physics, and industrial design as well as business considerations such as distribution and regulatory compliance. “Understanding and clearing regulatory hurdles is a significant and complex aspect of medical device development,” states Phillips, “We’re lucky to have a well-experienced team of quality control and regulatory experts at StarFish who contribute to the blog along with our engineers, physicists and designers.”

About StarFish

Enabling entrepreneurial medical device companies to achieve success with the right device since 1998, StarFish offers a full complement of medical device design, development, and manufacturing solutions. From product definition, and technical engineering, to product development, prototype and volume production in an Intertek certified ISO 13485 environment, StarFish services are available in part or as a complete turnkey solution. A large multi-disciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and industrial designers combined with a long history of successfully navigating regulatory hurdles provides StarFish clients across North America with the deep expertise necessary to bring a medical device to market expediently and successfully.

“There’s no doubt that our local technology industry is robust,” states StarFish Medical President, Scott Phillips, “We are in good company, both in the technology and life sciences sectors”. Well known in Canada and the United States for developing, designing, and manufacturing medical devices, StarFish Medical is actively engaged in medical, engineering, and high tech communities across North America. Like many of its fellow VIATeC 25 members, StarFish serves clients worldwide and attracts talent from around the globe to fuel its growth and continued success.

VIATeC reports that the total revenues of the VIATeC 25 have grown to $820 million in 2011, a five per cent increase over 2010. “They tend to be a good barometer for the rest of the industry,” says VIATeC Executive Director, Dan Gunn. “There are so many innovations and achievements coming out of the Greater Victoria technology sector right now,” comments Phillips, “There are many ways to measure success, and we congratulate all members of our communities who have enjoyed a successful year as well as those who are included in the VIATeC 25”.

StarFish Extends its Congratulations to The 2011 VIATeC 25

• AbeBooks.com
• Access Point Information Canada
• Archipelago Marine Research
• Beanstream Internet Commerce
• Boardwalk Communications
• Camacc Systems
• Carmanah Technologies Corp.
• Contech Enterprises Inc.
• Daniels Electronics Ltd.
• FTS Forest Technology Systems
• HP Advanced Solutions Inc.
• James Evans and Associates Ltd.
• Neverblue
• ParetoLogic
• Procura
• Reliable Controls
• RevenueWire
• Schneider Electric
• Scott Plastics Ltd.
• Seastar Chemicals Inc.
• ShipConstructor Software Inc.
• StarFish Medical
• UNIT4 Business Software
• Vecima Networks Inc.
• Viking Air Ltd.

About StarFish Medical
Enabling entrepreneurial medical device companies to achieve success with the right device since 1998, StarFish offers a full complement of design, development, and manufacturing solutions. From product definition, and technical engineering, to product development, prototype and volume production in an Intertek certified ISO 13485 environment, StarFish services are available in part or as a complete turnkey solution. A large multi-disciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and industrial designers combined with a long history of successfully navigating regulatory hurdles provides StarFish clients across North America with the deep expertise necessary to bring a medical device to market expediently and successfully.

For more information please contact:
Amanda Cooper
acooper@starfishmedical.com
www.starfishmedical.com
250.589.7618

Bringing a wealth of experience from his previous development and management roles in the medical device and consumer electronics industries, Dobson is pleased to employ his skills and experience for the benefit of StarFish and its clients. “This company is special,” states Dobson, “It has a complete range of advanced capabilities, informed by a large, diverse team of professionals from around the world. It’s a true turnkey solution – from definition, development, and manufacturing to regulatory navigation – that enables clients to bring their medical device to market through one resource.”

A rich career history working with product development firms in Waterloo, Atlanta, Chicago, California, and B.C. provides Dobson with insight and familiarity of the medical device industry, enabling him to effectively understand and work with entrepreneurial medical device corporations. “At StarFish, our primary goal is help our clients achieve success in the market with the right device,” comments Scott Phillips, President of StarFish Medical, “Success starts with a keen understanding of the industry and a clear vision of the end product, both of which David Dobson possesses. His expertise offers StarFish Medical clients a significant advantage and we look forward to the next phase of StarFish’s growth with David leading the Business Development initiative.”

About StarFish Medical
Enabling entrepreneurial medical device companies to achieve success with the right device since 1998, StarFish offers a full complement of design, development, and manufacturing solutions. From product definition, and technical engineering, to product development, prototype and volume production in an Intertek certified ISO 13485 environment, StarFish services are available in part or as a complete turnkey solution. A large multi-disciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and industrial designers combined with a long history of successfully navigating regulatory hurdles provides StarFish clients across North America with the deep expertise necessary to bring a medical device to market expediently and successfully.

For more information please contact:
Scott Phillips, President
www.starfishmedical.com
250.388.3537

“As an organization, VIATeC has done a great job of bringing the local technology community together and championing our cause as an industry,” says Phillips, “The determination and innovation of each member of the VIATeC community is evident in the increased growth and visibility that we have seen over the last year.” A long time supporter of the technology community on Vancouver Island and B.C., Phillips is pleased to be a part of that success and recognizes the accomplishments of his fellow technology professionals, including the following award recipients from this year’s VIATeC Awards:

GeoDigital International Inc.
Technology Company of the Year
Sponsored by Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP

Checkfront Inc.
Emerging Technology Company of the Year
Sponsored by KPMG LLP

Tony Melli
The Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion
Sponsored by Adamek Financial

Sanjai Sundher
Education Champion
Sponsored by City of Victoria, Mayor’s Technology Council

PC Health Advisor, ParetoLogic
Product of the Year
Sponsored by Backstage Games

Wifarer Inc.
Innovative Excellence
Sponsored by Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services

Carmanah Technologies Corporation
Environmental Excellence
Sponsored by AbeBooks.com

Atomic Crayon
Online Strategy of the Year
Sponsored by Sharp’s Audio Visual

Denis Morais, ShipConstructor Software Inc.
Employee/Team of the Year
Sponsored by Cube Global Storage

Reliable Controls Corporation
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by ParetoLogic

Daniels Electronics
VIATeC Member of the Year
Sponsored by Vancouver Island Technology Park

LL Brougham Inc., Chartered Accountant
Member’s Choice for Service Provider of the Year
Sponsored by StarFish Medical

About StarFish Medical
For more than ten years, StarFish has provided practical and innovative solutions in all aspects of medical device design and manufacturing, from product definition and technical engineering to formal product development and volume production in a quality environment. StarFish, an ISO 13485 certified company, provides practical turnkey to medical device companies all over North America.  The company’s cross-functional team offers expertise in engineering physics, electronics, software, firmware, mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing transfer.

For more information please contact:
Scott Phillips, President
www.starfishmedical.com
250.388.3537

“Starfish Medical is proud to be a part of such a dynamic and thriving life sciences community,” comments Scott Phillips, President at Starfish Medical, “It’s a privilege to be recognized within a peer group that is so accomplished and we accept the honour with tremendous appreciation for all the contributions made to our industry.” Noting that the motivation to break new technological ground is inspired across all the subsets of the life sciences community, Phillips extends his congratulations to fellow award recipients:

Dr. Michael Hayden
Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics
recipient of the Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence

Dr. Andre Marziali
Boreal Genomics & The University of British Columbia
recipient of the Innovation and Achievement Award

Mr. Paul Geyer
LightIntegra Technology Inc.
recipient of the Leadership Award

Dr. Judith Hall
Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of BC & The University of British Columbia
recipient of the Dr. Don Rix Award for Lifetime Achievement

“As we celebrate the Year of Science here in BC, and work to instill an appreciation of the contribution science makes in our society, it is particularly timely that we acknowledge our top innovators and their achievements,” commented Don Enns, President of LifeSciences British Columbia. “We need to celebrate the fact that British Columbia is continually on the global forefront of science and technology development, as exemplified through the work of this year’s Award recipients.”

About StarFish Medical
For more than ten years, StarFish has provided practical and innovative solutions in all aspects of medical device design and manufacturing, from product definition and technical engineering to formal product development and volume production in a quality environment. StarFish, an ISO 13485 certified company, provides practical turnkey to medical device companies all over North America.  The company’s cross-functional team offers expertise in engineering physics, electronics, software, firmware, mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing transfer.

For more information please contact:
Scott Phillips, President

http://www.starfishmedical.com

250.388.3537

About LifeSciences British Columbia
LifeSciences British Columbia is a not-for-profit, non-government industry association that represents and supports the biopharmaceutical, medical device, bioproducts, bioenergy and greater life sciences community of British Columbia through facilitation of partnering and investment, advocacy, education, and promotion of our world-class science and industry.

“Today’s dialysis patients, doctors and providers are demanding improvements and cost-effective alternatives to standard treatment regimes,” said Michael Baker, CEO of HD+. “Thanks to a commitment to invest up to $50M by global private equity firm Warburg Pincus, we now have the ability to advance the HD+ technology in hopes of meeting that demand. It’s a privilege to have investors of this caliber supporting such an effort.”

“This is not only a tremendous victory for kidney dialysis patients and the cause of lowering the costs of health care, it is a victory for the ever-growing promise of nanoscience and microtechnology,” says Senator Ron Wyden. “This is an example of how targeted, smart public investment can trigger job-creating private investment in Oregon and beyond. HD+ is now poised to become a market leader in this medically-critical technology, and that can only help further establish Oregon’s reputation as a location of choice for nanoscience companies and capital.”

The commitment by Warburg Pincus will allow HD+ to further the development of a portable dialysis system that is intended to allow patients to experience the benefits of frequent dialysis, a treatment regime that more closely simulates natural kidney processes and has been shown to improve patients’ quality of life.

Currently, the standard of care for most patients is a series of four-hour treatments, three times per week at a dialysis clinic, a rigorous regime that can be both physiologically and emotionally taxing. The HD+ system is intended to offer a gentler treatment that will be easier on the patient and more affordable for dialysis providers.

As the recipients of this investment, HD+ credits Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) and Oregon State Venture Fund for previous investments that propelled HD+ to an investor-ready position. The company has returned the favor by creating 30 new jobs within the region over the past four months.

About Home Dialysis Plus, Ltd.
Home Dialysis Plus, Ltd. (HD+) is focused on the advancement of home hemodialysis treatment for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. Via the use of patented micro technologies, the company aims to produce an ultra patient-friendly system offering frequent dialysis treatment options that are expected to improve patient health outcomes. More information is available at http://www.homedialysisplus.com

About Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus is a leading global private equity firm. The firm has more than $30 billion in assets under management. Its active portfolio of more than 110 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and geography. Warburg Pincus is a growth investor and an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 13 private equity funds which have invested more than $35 billion in over 600 companies in more than 30 countries.

The firm has invested more than $6.5 billion in healthcare companies, including investments in Allos Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ALTH), American Medical Systems (NASDAQ: AMMD), Bausch & Lomb, Coventry Health Care (NYSE: CVH), Eurand (NASDAQ: EURX), Euromedic International (acquired by Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity and Ares Life Sciences in 2008), Harbin Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 600664), Kyphon Inc. (acquired by Medtronic in 2007), Tornier B.V., Wright Medical Group (NASDAQ: WMGI) and Zentiva (LSE: ZEND and PSE: ZENTIVA). The firm has offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com

Since 1955, the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen has been marking outstanding international product design with its famous red dot. Manufacturers and designers of a wide variety of industrial products enter their work all year round in different product groups for the coveted red dot award. This year approximately 1,636 companies from 57 countries have taken part with a total of 4,252 entries submitted for review by an internationally renowned expert jury. Design awards are given in 17 different product categories, including medical equipment and machinery, resulting in publication in a yearbook and an online directory of winning products. The OsseoPulse™ was awarded an honourable mention in the red dot award: product design 2010. More information on the red dot organization, award process and winners can be found at www.red-dot.de.

“We are very pleased with receiving this prestigious design award, in recognition of the efforts invested in the product design by our team, and the resulting innovation of the OsseoPulse™. To be listed amongst the winners with such leaders in the medical device industries is very rewarding,” states Kevin Strange, President and CEO of Biolux. “I would like to thank Dr. Peter Brawn, founder of Biolux, for his guiding vision for the OssePulse™, the designers and engineers at StarFish Medical for their expertise in the conceptual, industrial, and product design of the OsseoPulse™, and our clinical investigators for their key contributions in the evaluation and evolution of this award-winning product.”

About Biolux Research
Biolux Research Ltd. is a world leader in the development of Light Accelerated Bone Regeneration systems for dentistry. Biolux focuses on product development, clinical and basic research, and its proprietary, patentpending OsseoPulse™ Bone Regeneration System has been developed to enhance clinical outcomes in implantology and oral surgery by accelerating implant integration and bone regeneration in a safe, effective and non-invasive approach. www.bioluxresearch.com

About StarFish Medical
Starfish Medical is a leading specialist firm in contract medical device development and manufacturing with 45 staff headquartered in Victoria, BC, Canada. For over 10 years StarFish Medical has been combining high technology solutions and human-centric design capabilities to create successful products. StarFish is ISO 13485 certified and serves clients all over North America. www.starfishmedical.com

For more information:
Kevin Strange
President & CEO
Biolux Research Ltd.
+1 (250) 686-1120
k.strange@bioluxresearch.com

For StarFish Medical, the winning team comprised Mechanical Engineers, Industrial Designers and an Engineering Physicist who combined their skills to transform a proof of concept device DNA separation device into an operable, marketable alpha prototype for their client, Boreal Genomics, within a 3-month timeframe.

Boreal Genomics was able to demonstrate their device at a key conference in their sector which generated significant attention and ultimately resulted in additional capital both from grants and investment to expand their business.

“In an incredibly short time, and very cost effectively, StarFish engineers helped us to develop an instrument that completely changed the way our company is perceived,” says Dr. Andre Marziali, the Chief Scientist at Boreal Genomics. “We will certainly work with Starfish again on our next instrument iteration, and can safely say that if our company is successful, they will have played a substantially enabling role.”

Scott Phillips, President of StarFish Medical, says, “I believe the success of the Boreal Genomics project reflects the quality and commitment of the team at StarFish and their ability to provide excellent results.”

About Boreal Genomics
Boreal Genomics is a biotechnology instrument research and development company which is a spin-off from University of British Columbia. Boreal Genomics?s instruments are based on SCODA: a novel, proprietary electrophoresis technology that selectively concentrates nucleic acids.  Read more about Boreal Genomics at www.borealgenomics.com/products.html

About StarFish Medical
For more than ten years, StarFish has provided practical and innovative solutions in all aspects of medical device design and manufacturing, from product definition and technical engineering to formal product development and volume production in a quality environment. StarFish, an ISO 13485 certified company, provides practical turnkey to medical device companies all over North America.  The company’s cross-functional team offers expertise in engineering physics, electronics, software, firmware, mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing transfer.  More information is available at StarFish Medical.

For more information contact:
Scott Phillips, President
www.starfishmedical.com
250.388.3537

StarFish president Scott Phillips sees the deal as a perfect fit, since it leverages the core expertise of StarFish in medical device development and manufacturing and builds on the good reputation ViVitro has established over the years.  The ViVitro assets will be rolled into a new wholly-owned subsidiary of StarFish.  Founding partners David Walker, Ph.D. and Larry Scotten, Dipl. T., will provide product support during the transition and will continue offering research and testing services for a limited time.

StarFish Medical intends to evolve the current product line and to more actively market it to worldwide clients from medical device companies to universities and regulatory bodies.

The heart valve market and demand for such products is continually growing, with new countries coming on line.  StarFish sees potential increased demand for testing services, especially with the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. asking for more testing than ever.  With an aging population in developed countries and rapid expansion of healthcare systems in developing nations, the cardiovascular healthcare sector is expanding substantially.  Medical devices are estimated to grow 5% yearly in the United States, their largest world market, over the next five years (Business Monitor International).

The two partners originally built the ViVitro test equipment to evaluate a new valve developed at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Cardiac Development Lab in the mid-1970s.  The first prototype of their laboratory pump and model heart was constructed using a VW piston.  From there the partners evolved it into the sophisticated, market leading test equipment it has become today.

Scotten and Walker welcome StarFish Medical taking over their products and services, since the two companies have developed a close working relationship.  StarFish has been assembling ViVitro equipment for two years and is currently in production for new orders.

ViVitro has customers in twenty countries including the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, and several European countries.

About ViVitro Systems
ViVitro Systems Inc. is a privately held company that was founded out of research at Royal Jubilee Hospital in 1983 by David Walker, Ph.D. and Lawrence Scotten, Dipl.T.

ViVitro makes two main products, a fatigue tester for assessing the durability of prosthetic mechanical and biological heart valves, and a laboratory model heart flow tester used primarily in medical research.  The company also offers prosthetic heart valve testing services.

About StarFish Medical
For more than ten years, StarFish has provided practical and innovative solutions in all aspects of medical device design and manufacturing, from product definition and technical engineering to formal product development and volume production in a quality environment. StarFish, an ISO 13485 certified company, provides practical turnkey to medical device companies all over North America.  The company’s cross-functional team offers expertise in engineering physics, electronics, software, firmware, mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing transfer.  More information is available at StarFish Medical.

For more information contact:
Scott Phillips, President
www.starfishmedical.com
250.388.3537

John brings 17 years of experience in product development and manufacturing transfer to the role.  For the past three years, he has been an integral part of the StarFish Medical product development team that helps companies bring their medical products to market.  Prior to joining StarFish, he spent six years in various R&D Engineering roles at Hewlett Packard and eight years at JDS Uniphase working as a design engineer and later as product manager for high-power, fibre-optic, laser devices.

“John’s combination of deep technical expertise and exceptional people skills have been of great benefit to StarFish and our clients over the past three years.  I am delighted to see him stepping into this role as leader of the product development team and look forward to him continuing to build on our strong client relationships.”

John will be responsible for managing product development execution including client relationship management, project oversight, technical decision making, documentation, testing and ensuring conformance to our ISO13485 medical quality system.

John holds a Master of Science in Optoelectronics & Optical Information Processing from Queen’s University Belfast and a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Physics from the University of Bristol.  John is certified as a Chartered Physicist in the United Kingdom and a Professional Physicist in Canada.

For more information
Scott Phillips, President
sphillips@starfishmedical.com
250.388.3537