New center helps bring medical technology to market

By Misty Williams

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Researchers across Georgia and the Southeast soon will have a new outlet for turning their ideas into reality for medical devices with the launch of the Global Center for Medical Innovation.

Renovation work began Tuesday on a 12,000-square-foot facility on 14th Street in Midtown that will house the center, which aims to speed up the commercialization of leading-edge medical devices and technology.

Ideas for new inventions previously have come from Georgia’s universities, medical practices and others groups, but many weren’t developed because the ability to build prototypes and other support structures weren't there, and the projects were moved to California and other states, said Wayne Hodges, the center’s executive director.

“Too often, they were staying there,” Hodges said.

The center will be a resource for developing and testing prototypes, plus connecting with investors or companies interested in devices, he said. It will focus initially on cardiology, orthopedics and pediatrics.

Slated to open early next year, the center is a partnership of Georgia Tech, the Georgia Research Alliance, Piedmont Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s Translational Research Institute. It has received roughly $3.6 million in funding from the research alliance and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

With its many research institutions, Atlanta should focus on building its medical technology industry, said Susan Shows, senior vice president at the research alliance. The Economic Development Administration estimates the center will generate $72 million in new investments and create or save roughly 160 jobs.

“Medical innovation is a very hot area right now,” she said. “It has good potential for job creation in Georgia.”