OptimalPSI gets CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to develop patient-specific spinal fusion implants
17.02.2025
Focused on improving surgical outcomes for patients undergoing spinal fusion, the ETH spin-off OptimalPSI has obtained CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to develop its patient-specific spinal fusion implants.
 OptimalPSI team
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Lower back pain is one of the most prevalent health issues in Switzerland. When conservative treatments fail, spinal fusion surgery is often required, typically employing standard, off-the-shelf implants. However, over 50% of patients suffer from implant subsidence, the major postoperative complication for this type of surgery that prolongs recovery by months and in the worst case requires revision surgery.
OptimalPSI addresses this challenge by applying topology optimization and computational engineering to design and optimize patient-specific spinal fusion implants. By integrating patient-specific optimization and 3D printing, the company offers spinal fusion implants with a perfect fit, geometrically and structurally, improving the predictability of the surgical outcome, and reducing the risk of subsidence healthcare expenses.
The startup is now moving toward clinical application and commercialization, initially targeting the US market, focusing on patients with degenerative conditions, particularly osteoporosis. The potential annual revenue for this market only is estimated at USD 1.73 billion.
OptimalPSI is in the process of incorporation and will leverage the CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to prepare for its US market entry and continue developing toward the design freeze milestone.
Leading OptimalPSI are CEO Dr. Thijs Smit and CTO Wolfgang Rubin, both scientists from ETH Zurich. Their combined expertise in computational design and medical technology is driving the development of next-generation spinal fusion implants to improve patient care and surgical outcomes.
“The support from Venture Kick allowed us to make huge steps in our business development,” commented CEO Thijs Smit. “Also, the Kick camps have been ‘kicking’ us to a higher level every time.”
OptimalPSI team: Wolfgang Rubin, Thijs Smit, Xiaoyu Du, Stephen Ferguson
OptimalPSI addresses this challenge by applying topology optimization and computational engineering to design and optimize patient-specific spinal fusion implants. By integrating patient-specific optimization and 3D printing, the company offers spinal fusion implants with a perfect fit, geometrically and structurally, improving the predictability of the surgical outcome, and reducing the risk of subsidence healthcare expenses.
The startup is now moving toward clinical application and commercialization, initially targeting the US market, focusing on patients with degenerative conditions, particularly osteoporosis. The potential annual revenue for this market only is estimated at USD 1.73 billion.
OptimalPSI is in the process of incorporation and will leverage the CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to prepare for its US market entry and continue developing toward the design freeze milestone.
Leading OptimalPSI are CEO Dr. Thijs Smit and CTO Wolfgang Rubin, both scientists from ETH Zurich. Their combined expertise in computational design and medical technology is driving the development of next-generation spinal fusion implants to improve patient care and surgical outcomes.
“The support from Venture Kick allowed us to make huge steps in our business development,” commented CEO Thijs Smit. “Also, the Kick camps have been ‘kicking’ us to a higher level every time.”
OptimalPSI team: Wolfgang Rubin, Thijs Smit, Xiaoyu Du, Stephen Ferguson