RAFT
RAFT is a charity founded in 1988 by plastic surgeons, dedicated to medical research in reconstructive medicine. It aims to translate scientific findings into products and procedures that benefit patients, particularly in areas like breast reconstruction, bone regeneration, and skin grafting. The organization collaborates with hospitals, universities, and industry partners to develop innovative treatments and medical devices, with a focus on improving quality of life for patients suffering from trauma, cancer, and degenerative diseases. RAFT has a legacy of pioneering research and is transitioning its research activities to other institutions to maximize impact.
Industries
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Products
Dermal scaffold for wound healing (dermal scaffold)
A biologically-derived dermal scaffold engineered to support skin cell proliferation and vascular ingrowth, intended to reduce the need for skin grafting.
Composite bone void filler (calcium phosphate–porous biomaterial)
An off‑the‑shelf composite material combining a porous matrix that supports vascular ingrowth with calcium phosphate to provide osteogenic properties for filling bone defects.
3D‑printable biodegradable inks for custom implants
Formulated degradable inks suitable for 3D printing custom-fit craniofacial and facial implants that act as scaffolds for new bone growth and are resorbed as tissue regenerates.
Biological scaffold for breast reconstruction (scaffold + cell therapy approach)
A protein-based biodegradable scaffold intended to retain transplanted fat and stem cells at the reconstruction site, encouraging in-situ tissue formation and eventual resorption of the scaffold.
Dermal scaffold for wound healing (dermal scaffold)
A biologically-derived dermal scaffold engineered to support skin cell proliferation and vascular ingrowth, intended to reduce the need for skin grafting.
Composite bone void filler (calcium phosphate–porous biomaterial)
An off‑the‑shelf composite material combining a porous matrix that supports vascular ingrowth with calcium phosphate to provide osteogenic properties for filling bone defects.
3D‑printable biodegradable inks for custom implants
Formulated degradable inks suitable for 3D printing custom-fit craniofacial and facial implants that act as scaffolds for new bone growth and are resorbed as tissue regenerates.
Biological scaffold for breast reconstruction (scaffold + cell therapy approach)
A protein-based biodegradable scaffold intended to retain transplanted fat and stem cells at the reconstruction site, encouraging in-situ tissue formation and eventual resorption of the scaffold.
Services
Translational research and commercialisation support
Provision of IP management, formation or handover to spin-out entities, and activities to attract private investment for late‑stage product development and clinical trials.
Collaborative biomaterials R&D
Collaborative projects to develop, optimise and test biomaterial scaffolds for skin, breast and bone tissue regeneration in partnership with clinical and academic centres.
Prototype development and pre-clinical testing
Iterative prototype development followed by laboratory and pre-clinical model testing to select candidates for scale-up.
Imaging-derived implant design services
Creation of bespoke digital implant models using patient imaging data for use with 3D-printed biodegradable implants.
Translational research and commercialisation support
Provision of IP management, formation or handover to spin-out entities, and activities to attract private investment for late‑stage product development and clinical trials.
Collaborative biomaterials R&D
Collaborative projects to develop, optimise and test biomaterial scaffolds for skin, breast and bone tissue regeneration in partnership with clinical and academic centres.
Prototype development and pre-clinical testing
Iterative prototype development followed by laboratory and pre-clinical model testing to select candidates for scale-up.
Imaging-derived implant design services
Creation of bespoke digital implant models using patient imaging data for use with 3D-printed biodegradable implants.
Expertise Areas
- Breast reconstruction research
- Bone regeneration and bone graft alternatives
- Biomaterials and scaffold development
- 3D bioprinting and degradable ink formulation
Key Technologies
- Biodegradable 3D-printed inks
- Porous biomaterial scaffolds
- Calcium phosphate composite materials
- Medical image-based 3D modelling (X-ray/CT-derived)