Background
EthOss Regeneration Ltd was set up in 2013 by world-renowned dental surgeon Dr Peter Fairbairn and biomaterial product development specialist Dr Paul Harrison. Together, they created a market-first product, EthOss – a synthetic biomaterial used in dental implant surgery that encourages new bone to grow and better support the implant than traditional methods.
The challenge
The company was looking to further expand its overseas markets, with Australia and Southeast Asia in their sights, to enable more dental professionals and patients to benefit from EthOss® Bone Graft material.
The solution
Through our Export service, we enabled EthOss to access funding for a trip to Australia, where the team met with distributors to expand in the market. They also attended an exhibition in the Philippines and made several contacts around Southeast Asia.
EthOss already has distribution partners set up across the region but wants to focus on promotion and educating clinicians in the product’s benefits in order to enhance sales.
Our partner, healthcare experts Medilink, worked with the company to conduct market research for Australia, including sharing information on the country’s regulations and competitors. They also developed a market-entry strategy for Australia and the Far East, as well as boosting EthOss’s connections with hospitals in the region, where they plan to commercialise the product.
EthOss is also using a Medilink-approved consultant to assess and help the company to drive innovation within its industry, putting patients and dentists at the forefront of its development decisions.
With the expansion of the business, new employment opportunities will be created. To support this growth, the company utilised our Innovation programme, and Managing Director Peter Wheeler and Marketing Manager Alex Holdcraft were able to access our Leadership service, which offers specialist training, coaching and workshop masterclasses.
The impact
The overseas trip educated new clinicians and led to the company securing a number of new clients. As a result, EthOss has hired a new member of their marketing team.
The Medilink-approved consultant has made key recommendations that have helped Ethoss Regeneration Ltd to accelerate new product development, boost its presence in some of its biggest markets and also explore other potential areas of expansion.
“West Yorkshire Business Boost has been invaluable. Accessing the Innovation, Export and Leadership services, along with tapping into the industry knowledge of Medilink, has played an instrumental role in our success this year.”
“The support has allowed us to invest in our upcoming developments, while also boosting our presence in major markets. With the Leadership programme still ongoing, we look forward to the wealth of knowledge and ideas that can be brought into the business, enabling us to continue to grow stronger.” Peter Wheeler, Managing Director
Learn more about our Export and Innovation services
If you have a business based in West Yorkshire and are interested in working with our team of Export Managers or Innovation & Leadership Managers, express your interest in our programme here.