Organizational history

Translating science into high-technology medical products

Pioneering comparative research studies on various natural animal sources of bone growth factors started in the mid-1990s under the leadership of Professor Jalovaara at the University of Oulu and led to the surprising discovery of the unique and potent bone growth-forming capability inherent in natural reindeer bone. BBS-Bioactive Bone Substitutes Ltd. was “officially” established in 2004 in order to advance the research into product development by focusing on refinement of the process technology and establishing the product opportunity and regulatory requirements for the commercialization of a highly bioactive natural animal-source material for orthopedic implant market.

BBS had successfully demonstrated a proof of concept for an innovative bone graft substitute product based on a reindeer bone extract, and the method for making it. BBS then focused on further developing a large-scale process that would meet the stringent criteria for quality & consistency of manufacture of a bioactive extract containing the full spectrum of bone growth factors necessary for optimal bone regeneration. In addition, BBS has secured exclusive rights to a large available supply of reindeer bone. BBS recently completed the full construction of a dedicated facility for commercial production of ARTEBONE®.

Today BBS has its headquarters in Oulu, Finland and has established commercial production facilities in Reisjärvi, Finland. The production plant in Reisjärvi, recently completed, contains the bioprocess instrumentation, clean rooms (200 m2), and quality systems & controls consistent with the requirements for manufacturing a medical device product. The production plant consists of 3000 m2 of bioprocess technology floor space, but can be scaled up further to 4-5X the starting capacity.

BBS production facilities in Reisjärvi, Finland