Local biomedical company Serica Technologies has expanded its Medford branch, facilitating increased collaboration between the company and the Tufts biomedical department.
The company was previously leasing 11,000 square feet at 200 Boston Ave., and has now grown to include 22,000 square feet for the research, development and manufacturing of state-of-the-art biomedical materials.
Founded by Tufts alumnus Gregory Altman (LA '97), Serica enjoys a close relationship with the university, and the recent expansion will directly impact students interested in biomedical engineering.
"We've had a very strong and incredibly productive relationship with the university for a number of years," Altman said. "We actively work with the biomedical department as well as the medical school and even the veterinary school."
Since the founding of the Medford branch, which serves as its headquarters, in 2003, the company has been employing Tufts students in hands-on internships. With the expansion of the facility, the company has doubled its number of Tufts interns, at least during the summer.
"It's a way for both the company and Tufts students to benefit," Altman said. "It's one of our goals to leverage the talent of the students at the university. We had considered expanding outside of Medford, but when considering the importance of our relationship with Tufts University, we decided to stay local."
The company primarily focuses on the development of new biomedical technology. According to a company press release, "Serica is developing natural silk biomaterials designed to provide immediate temporary stabilization to soft connective structures - such as ligaments and tendons - following surgical repair."
"[We] bioengineer graft material that can be used to reconstruct torn ligaments," Altman said.
The technology developed in Medford can potentially have lasting impacts on the medical community.
"This impressive facility is an excellent example of Massachusetts leading the way in this new century of the life sciences," Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) said in a press release issued by Serica.
"Helping patients recover more quickly from surgery is an urgent medical need. The breakthrough new biomaterials being developed by Serica have great potential to improve the lives of countless patients across the country and throughout the world," Kennedy said.
Altman was first inspired to enter the field of biomedical engineering after tearing his ACL while playing football at Tufts.
He said that his education at Tufts has tremendously impacted his work at Serica.
"The unique thing at Tufts is that it's an incredible university within a small environment," Altman said. "You're gaining a very diverse background."
His most significant influences, however, were outside the classroom.
"It wasn't only the knowledge base; it was my professors and friends who later became my colleagues and coworkers," he said.
The company's newest product, the SeriACL, is comprised of silkworm protein and is currently undergoing clinical trials. It was initially developed at Tufts by Altman and Biomedical Engineering Chair David Kaplan during Altman's undergraduate years.
If approved, the ligament grafts will be used to improve recovery from the surgical repair of torn ACLs. Early results from the clinical trials will arrive some time next year.
