Du Preez, WBRichter, PWHope, DKotze, CP2007-08-032007-08-032006-07Du Preez, WB, et al. 2006. Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired. All Africa technology diffusion conference, Boksburg, South Africa, 2006, 10p.http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1078Eyeborn is an innovative hydroxyapatite orbital implant used to replace the eyeball of a patient who has lost an eye. A prosthetic eye cap is fitted in front of the Eyeborn implant, restoring the patient’s appearance and improving his quality of life. The product was developed with funding from the South African Innovation Fund. This paper shares some of the lessons learnt during the commercialisation of the product and the technology transfer to a South African small enterprise, Cerdak (Pty) Ltd. Aspects, such as the inputs of medical experts, clinical trials, development of the commercialisation model, identification of a marketing company and a manufacturer, accessing funding and contracting, are discussed. The technology transfer process included compliance with international quality system standards and the acquisition of the CE Mark for the product. Timing of the market launch and subsequent complications regarding provision in market demand during the technology transfer phase posed special challenges. In this regard the role of the marketing company, VisiCare (Pty) Ltd, is discussed.enEyebornTechnology transferHydroxyapatite orbital implantEyeborn implantsConference PresentationDu Preez, W., Richter, P., Hope, D., & Kotze, C. (2006). Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1078Du Preez, WB, PW Richter, D Hope, and CP Kotze. "Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired." (2006): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1078Du Preez W, Richter P, Hope D, Kotze C, Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired; 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1078 .TY - Conference Presentation AU - Du Preez, WB AU - Richter, PW AU - Hope, D AU - Kotze, CP AB - Eyeborn is an innovative hydroxyapatite orbital implant used to replace the eyeball of a patient who has lost an eye. A prosthetic eye cap is fitted in front of the Eyeborn implant, restoring the patient’s appearance and improving his quality of life. The product was developed with funding from the South African Innovation Fund. This paper shares some of the lessons learnt during the commercialisation of the product and the technology transfer to a South African small enterprise, Cerdak (Pty) Ltd. Aspects, such as the inputs of medical experts, clinical trials, development of the commercialisation model, identification of a marketing company and a manufacturer, accessing funding and contracting, are discussed. The technology transfer process included compliance with international quality system standards and the acquisition of the CE Mark for the product. Timing of the market launch and subsequent complications regarding provision in market demand during the technology transfer phase posed special challenges. In this regard the role of the marketing company, VisiCare (Pty) Ltd, is discussed. DA - 2006-07 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Eyeborn KW - Technology transfer KW - Hydroxyapatite orbital implant KW - Eyeborn implants LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2006 T1 - Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired TI - Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1078 ER -