New Ortho Polymers
406 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT

Many of us are all too familiar with the experience of wearing braces. Thanks to innovative orthodontic systems being developed by Farmington-based New Ortho Polymers Inc., that experience may be changing…for the better. The company is making use of proprietary polymer technology to create innovative orthodontic systems including polymer-based arch wires and potentially self-ligating brackets, hooks and modules. These systems will offer patients both greater comfort, through the use of lighter, more consistent forces, and a more aesthetic look compared with metal-based systems.

CI learned about NOP and its innovative technology from the University of Connecticut Research and Development Corporation (UConn R&D Corp.), the organization at the university responsible for initiating new business start-ups and that launched NOP in 2005.

Mark Van Allen, president of UConn R&D Corp. stated, “Given the mission of the UConn R&D Corp. and CI’s status as the state’s vehicle for funding new technology startups, we considered this an ideal opportunity to work with a sister state organization to foster entrepreneurial growth in Connecticut. We see this as one of many collaborations to come between UConn and CI.”

NOP was created through the collaborative efforts of faculty and staff at the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Department of Orthodontics and its Center of Biomaterials.

The company is using a $250,000 investment from CI’s Seed Investment Fund to further develop its orthodontic systems and initiate a beta program. Clinical trials on an arch wire are expected to start in 2009.