“OsseoLabs,” a KMUTT Spin-off, Set to Become a Leading Innovative SME After Winning 1st Runner-Up at the 2024 National Innovation Awards

“In an era where technology constantly advances, we have begun to use foundational scientific knowledge integrated with engineering to invent things that have never existed before. This is the perspective I believe represents modern engineering education especially mechanical engineering. We want to change the mindset of students who often wonder why they study such difficult subjects or if they will ever use that knowledge in real life, a feeling that often haunts engineering students.”

“OsseoLabs” was established at the Department of Mechanical Engineering two years ago as a spin-off company of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). It originated from the vision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Pachareephit Promuphatam, a faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. She recognized the opportunity to apply engineering expertise to develop unprecedented medical devices. The core technology developed is the application of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) porous structures in designing medical devices or metallic implants that are lightweight, high-strength, and possess internal characteristics that accelerate bone growth. TPMS structures are porous configurations formed through various mathematical equations.

Following research on specialized porous bone substitutes which utilize mechanical engineering knowledge and 3D printing technology for design and fabrication the team saw growing demand and potential for business expansion. Consequently, Dr. Pachareephit partnered with Dr. Vikrom Ahuja, a former colleague and veteran in the startup business, to establish OsseoLabs in 2022. The goal was to push Thai research with international potential into the commercial sector. Beyond being a full-fledged business entity, “OsseoLabs” serves as a growth platform for materials science students within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. It provides a space where students can apply their knowledge as practitioners, assistants, or company researchers. Beyond classroom experience, OsseoLabs encourages seeking opportunities from other sources, acting as an alternative for students or as some might call it, “OsseoLabs: A space to create a new generation of entrepreneurs” for the nation’s society, economy, and industry.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Pachareephit discussed the reasons for establishing OsseoLabs, noting that almost every industry including most medical sectors and the equipment used by surgeons in operating rooms is rooted in mechanical science. Most high-priced medical equipment used in Thailand is imported. The question was: if we could produce it ourselves domestically, could we save more money? Furthermore, could we develop existing medical devices even further? Rather than just replicating products from other companies, we aimed to create our own designs with superior efficiency compared to imports, believing we possessed sufficient knowledge to do so. Regarding the question of whether “learning is useless,” if students engage in the field such as producing medical devices they must talk to doctors and enter operating rooms to see exactly how their work provides benefits. Achieving success in this field requires not just engineering, but a multidisciplinary approach.

“Importantly, we teach them that their work can lead to both benefits and harm. If the work is not meticulously done, doctors and patients are the ones who will suffer, affecting real human lives. Therefore, mechanical engineering students at OsseoLabs are taught responsibility and shown how their actions impact users. If we do a poor job, what happens to those affected? This cannot be taught in a classroom. Currently, no student in this lab asks what they are studying for or if it’s useless because everyone has hands-on experience. Seeing their work benefit others and themselves motivates them to become entrepreneurs or start their own startups. To date, this lab has produced over 25 capable new entrepreneurs for society.”

The Strengths of OsseoLabs:

1. New Knowledge and Technology: Internationally recognized expertise.
2. Resources: Access to university personnel, tools, equipment, and skills.
3. Trustworthiness: Despite KMUTT not having a medical school, its engineering excellence has earned the trust of collaborators and continuous interest from domestic and international agencies.

“The starting point of our R&D involved collaborating on medical technology research with various institutions, such as the Faculty of Dentistry at Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Phramongkutklao Hospital. The primary goal is to elevate the quality of treatment through innovative design and advanced material fabrication technology. Supported by various government research grants, we currently have 40 publications in Scopus with over 1,000 citations. Additionally, the technology developed for modern medical devices has been patented in 16 items across several countries, including Thailand, Singapore, and the United States,” said Asst. Prof. Dr. Pachareephit.

Most recently, OsseoLabs Co., Ltd. received the 1st Runner-Up Award for Economic Innovation (Small and Micro Enterprise category) at the 2024 National Innovation Awards, organized by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), for the project “Personalized Surgical Guides using AI and 3D Printing.” Furthermore, the company was selected as one of the five companies by the NIA for the Unicorn Factory Thailand project to participate in TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 in San Francisco, USA, in early November 2024, to promote the expansion and networking of high-potential Thai companies internationally.

Mr. Kanit Mongkolpan, a second-year Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering and a researcher at OsseoLabs, shared his thoughts on the personalized surgical guide project. He noted that it is another research success that the company has turned into a real business and production. OsseoLabs is not just a lab that sells products; it is a company built on being Research-based. The company’s survival and expansion depend on continuous research development and elevating domestic research to a global level. He believes Thai research can reach international standards despite challenges like funding. OsseoLabs has demonstrated the ability to secure support and transform research into tangible results.

“From our research, we can enable patients both nationwide and abroad to access this type of treatment. By scaling up to reduce costs, everyone will be able to access this technology. Working here answers the question of what I study for, as I can see the benefits clearly. Initially, I thought medicine and engineering were separate fields, but now I see they are multidisciplinary. We combine engineering with other sciences to develop better medical tools for patients,” Kanit concluded.