Corporate Vision January 2017

72 CORPORATE VISION / January 2017 , Aeon Astron B.V. is dedicated to global sales andmarketing for high value added and novel medical devices, as well as research and development of biomaterial and regenerative medicine for ophthalmological applications. These devices include ologen®CollagenMatrix, BioCornea, and BioSclera, which are designed not only for eye tissue repair and vision improvement but also for improving the quality of life. CEOMichael Lai tells us more. Transforming Quality of Life The activities of Aeon Astron Europe B.V. (AAE) are dedicated to research, development and marketing of biological scaffolds in the fields of eye and dental tissue repair facilitating physiological tissue reorganization. CEO, Michael Lai, explains how they operate and what they do to fully engage with clients. “In the business of regenerative medicine, we have developed ologen® Collagen Matrix for eye tissue repair, ologen® Biocornea as a cornea substitute, and ologen® Biosclera as a corneal patch graft. Additionally, aongen®Collagen Matrix for gum augmentation and Collagen Membrane for GBR/GTR (guided bone regeneration/guided tissue regeneration) are developed for dental treatment. “The core competence is that we utilize the fish scale as starting material and convert it to ologen® Biocornea, ologen® Biosclera and aongen® Bone Filler (bone regeneration). As the first company in the world that utilizes fish scales as the starting biomaterial, being ‘the one and the only’ is our motto in business. “Our clients are all professional clinicians – ophthalmologists and dentists – with whom we work closely with the aim to continually improve our products to ensure more effective and successful treatments.” Aeon Astron have become a truly global company. Their products are marketed through their subsidiaries and distributors to clinical professionals in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, the US, India, Brazil and 40+ other countries around the world. Michael explains how they have achieved great success and considers the factors that have made them an award winning firm. “The Biocornea derived from fish scale (Taiwan Tilapia) is the outstanding product which make us award winning. This is an innovative and creative invention, and also a journey that no one ever has been through. After nine years’ efforts in research, the first Biocornea clinical trial has been started at the Department of Ophthalmology, Cologne University Hospital, in Germany and is actively recruiting patients. The first patient enrolled has been treated with 100% success. “Patent protection and branding strategy sets us apart from other companies. The safety and efficacy of ologen® Collagen Matrix has been documented amongst different races and ages, which values us, and distinguishes ourselves in the medical industry. Also, our dedication to bioscaffold development from novel, innovative biomaterials, sets us apart.” Another factor which sets Aeon apart from others in their sector is their commitment to technology as Michael outlines. “To secure the exclusive technology of transforming fish scales and relevant biomaterials, we have our own patents filed in most major markets. These patents and technologies are novel and unique which enables us to maintain the highest standards. These biomaterials could become the new ‘Golden Standard’ amongst the bioscaffolds, which are essential to the developing field of tissue engineering.” Aeon has managed to maintain its success, not only through its use of technology, but also through ensuring the products they have developed are completely safe and have been tested thoroughly. “Proving the safety and efficacy of the product by cross-border cooperation is crucial to us. We’ve established the research teams in Taiwan, the operational team in the Netherlands and have cooperated with medical and clinical scientists from Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. This global placement ensures the thoughtful and deep coverage in business scope.” As an innovative and creative company, Aeon Astron have ambitious and challenging goals for the future as Michael explains. “Not only the platform converted from fish scale, but also the development of new, patent pending material both belong to our capabilities. Our key vision is to continue to be experts in providing novel, innovative solutions to unmet problems in eye tissue repair and regeneration. We are also devoted to the dental gum regeneration and biobone. We hope these efforts may benefit patients by diminishing their medical needs. “In 2018, the biocornea will be heading to the penetrating keratoplasty (PK)human clinical trial. We could become the world first company in supplying cornea substitutes for PK in treating corneal blindness if everything goes as planned.” K Company: Aeon Astron Europe BV Name: Michael HJ Lai Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.aeonastron.com Address: J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 71 3322280 1701CV04