Innovation in dentistry with biotech startup INViCARE
Innovation can be found in every industry… even dentistry! For this article, we talk to the co-founder of biotech startup INViCARE. The company’s mission is to fight medical infections and extend the life of all types of implants. The market for dental implants is huge! It is projected to reach $5,725.7 million by 2026. Interview with Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi.
URelles: You studied at Sanaa University and the Jordan University of Science and Technology. What made you choose a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: One of the reasons dentistry attracted me is that it’s a respectable career that provides an important public service. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the aesthetic improvement that dentistry offers patients, and a procedure as simple as a crown greatly enhances a person’s self-esteem.
As a dental specialist, I have always been passionate about research work. My interest began with my master’s research project, and my passion intensified as I interacted with patients in clinics and recognized their needs. That’s why, over the past eight years, my research has focused on the management of implant and tooth infections, trying to find appropriate solutions that provide the best oral care for patients.
During my PhD at McGill University in Montreal, I chose “Development of new techniques for dental implant cleaning and infection management”. The technologies discovered during this research were innovative and deserved to be transposed into healthcare practice, as most current research showed an increase in implant failures due to infections, and none of the current techniques or tools seemed to add any value.
INViCARE was subsequently founded to fill this gap, translating research innovations into products and transferring them to clinics to better serve the public and advance the dental industry.
URelles: How did you come up with the idea for your company?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: It all started with a personal story, back in 2012 and when I was looking for a topic for my PhD project. I received a call from my sister complaining that her implant, only a year old, had suddenly become infected, and none of her visits to the dentist had been able to stop the infection. This call prompted me to find out more about the subject so that I could help and recommend solutions. I was astonished by the many reports indicating the recent increase in infection rates around implants and their failure due to the lack of an effective solution. I therefore decided to base my PhD on this subject and to focus first on studying current protocols to understand their weak points so that we could develop an appropriate and effective solution.
URelles: What are the current problems with routine dental implant cleaning?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: Current implant care and infection control solutions do not reliably prevent or treat dental implant infections. They are often ineffective at eliminating microbes, particularly mechanical and titanium brushes, which also leave implant surfaces damaged. Mechanical brushes and laser therapy treatments are often too abrasive to be used for regular maintenance of soft dental implants, while others lack bone compatibility. Not to mention that some techniques, such as laser therapy, can be prohibitively expensive, costing upwards of $600 per session.
URelles: Is dentistry usually a highly innovative sector? Why or why not?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: Absolutely, the dental industry is growing fast. It’s very different from what we were doing in previous years. Cost reduction is the main reason for the dental industry’s growth. Technology is being used in innovative ways by dentists and companies seeking not only to improve their procedures, but also to reduce the cost of dental care. In addition, as uncontrolled oral health can lead to other problems such as diabetes and heart disease, smart technology has infiltrated the industry to make this care more affordable and accessible to the population.
URelles: A patent is pending for your innovation. What will this mean for your company once it is received?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: Our patent has successfully passed the examination procedure in the USA, and we expect the patent to be granted in the coming month. Apart from the fact that the patent protects the invention for 20 years, this step will increase the value of the company and will be an important factor in concluding a future investment cycle. It will also open up the possibility of licensing or selling applications to interested partners.
URelles: The technology industry is sorely lacking in diversity. If you had the means, how would you remedy this?
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Hashedi: I would invest time and money in female startup founders to encourage them to pursue their dreams. I would launch programs and support centers for female founders where they would have access to knowledge, networking opportunities and workshops to acquire business skills as well as access to working capital.
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