Date added: 2025-09-19
Innovative Bone Cements from Gdańsk Tech Awarded at the iCAN 2025 International Fair
Two innovative technologies developed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and students at Gdańsk Tech were recognised at the 10th edition of the International Invention Innovation Competition (iCAN 2025) in Canada. The inventions DuoSet-SaMgCem and MgCarraGelCem received a gold and a silver medal, respectively, along with four prestigious special awards granted by international inventors’ organisations.
The awarded inventions are injectable bone cements that combine phosphate–magnesium ceramics with natural hydrogels, such as sodium alginate and carrageenan. This results in biocomposites that can be easily applied in minimally invasive procedures.
“They are distinguished by high stability, controlled biodegradation, and the release of bioactive ions, all of which support the natural processes of bone tissue regeneration. They may be used in the treatment of bone fractures, filling defects after resections, and strengthening osteoporotic bone structures,” says Dr. Marcin Wekwejt, leader of the research team.
The solutions were developed within the activities of the Student Research Group Materials in Medicine and the PLUTONIUM project, “Development of a new injectable ceramic–polymer bone cement.” In addition to Dr. Marcin Wekwejt, project leader, the inventors include research group members Rafał Jesiołkiewicz (DuoSet-SaMgCem) and Monika Wojtala (MgCarraGelCem), as well as an interdisciplinary research team: Prof. Aleksandra Mielewczyk-Gryń (WFTIMS, Gdańsk Tech), Prof. Justyna Kozłowska (Nicolaus Copernicus University), and Dr. Anna Ronowska (Medical University of Gdańsk). At the competition, the research activities and the awarded cements were presented by Kaja Stanisławska and Alicja Stawicka, active members of the research group and project contributors.
The team plans to further improve the properties of the developed cements and is actively seeking a business partner for potential commercialisation.
Two medals and four special awards
The iCAN Innovation Expo is one of the world’s largest events dedicated to innovation, organised by the Toronto International Society of Innovation & Advanced Skills, with support from the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations and the World Invention Intellectual Property Associations. For a decade, it has gathered participants from across the globe, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and the promotion of cutting-edge scientific achievements.
The inventions from Gdańsk Tech won a gold medal (DuoSet-SaMgCem) and a silver medal (MgCarraGelCem) awarded by the iCAN 2025 jury. In the finals, they also received four special awards granted by:
Macao Innovation and Invention Association (China),
OFEED Inc. (Morocco),
Manila Young Inventors Association (Philippines),
Innovation Initiative Co-operative Inc. – The Inventors Circle (Canada).
The participation of the Gdańsk Tech team in iCAN2025 was made possible thanks to co-funding from the project “Active development of competencies and skills of members of the Materials in Medicine Student Research Group and enhancement of its innovativeness and research potential” (Ministry of Science and Higher Education). The project is led and supervised by Dr. Marcin Wekwejt, with Balbina Makurat-Kasprolewicz serving as co-supervisor.