CJ MedTec Accelerates Development of Biodegradable Vascular Stent

Announcing a Paradigm Shift in Vascular Disease Treatment

Implementation image of the 'biodegradable vascular stent' being developed by CJ MedTec. Photo by CJ MedTec

On April 25, CJ MedTec, a company specializing in orthopedic implants, announced that it will accelerate the development of a 'biodegradable vascular stent' based on its proprietary medical magnesium (Mg) alloy technology, which is the only one of its kind in Korea and allows for natural decomposition within the human body.

While conventional metal stents, once implanted in blood vessels, cannot be permanently removed, the biodegradable vascular stent being developed by CJ MedTec performs its function for a certain period and then naturally decomposes and is absorbed within the body. This innovation is drawing attention as a new alternative for vascular treatment amid changing medical environments in Korea and abroad due to population aging.

The most significant advancement of the biodegradable vascular stent is that it maintains the vessel-expanding function of traditional permanent metal stents, but decomposes naturally in the body after a certain period. Additionally, because the stent does not continuously irritate the inner wall of the blood vessel, the risk of thrombosis (blood clot formation) is greatly reduced. Magnesium-based biomaterials also offer higher biocompatibility than conventional metals, resulting in a lower likelihood of foreign body reactions or inflammation.

These features shorten the duration of antiplatelet (blood clot prevention) medication and reduce the risk of complications caused by long-term implantation. As a result, the burden of treatment on patients is lessened and their quality of life can be improved, making it a promising new paradigm for the treatment of vascular diseases such as cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disorders.

This research is part of the national R&D project 'Development of Biodegradable Metallic Materials for Vascular Disease Treatment (RS-2022-NR068191, lead organization KIST)', supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and overseen by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The project is being carried out as a five-year plan from 2022 to 2026. Starting this year, CJ MedTec has entered the commercialization and optimization development phase, marking a critical stage toward actual product development and commercialization.

CJ MedTec has already demonstrated the technological stability and safety of its products through the commercialization of biodegradable metal screws and plates for orthopedic use. This technology is designed to maintain the mechanical strength of solid metals while gradually decomposing and being absorbed in the body, indicating potential for expansion into various types of implantable medical devices in the future.

The global market for biodegradable vascular stents also shows high growth potential. According to the market research firm Business Research Insights, the global cardiovascular stent market is expected to grow to approximately $20.67 billion (about 29 trillion KRW) by 2032, while the peripheral vascular stent market is projected to reach $7.82 billion (about 11 trillion KRW).

In developing biodegradable vascular stents, CJ MedTec is focusing on optimizing the precise control of in-body decomposition rate and timing through its advanced magnesium processing technology. The company is currently prioritizing development for cardiovascular disease treatment, but plans to expand the application of its technology to other areas such as cerebrovascular and orthopedic treatments in the future. In addition, there is potential for application in the development of next-generation convergent medical devices, such as wearable sensors and antimicrobial functional devices.

Yu Hyunseung, CEO of CJ MedTec, stated, "The biodegradable vascular stent is an innovative technology that addresses the structural limitations of conventional metal stents while prioritizing both patient safety and convenience. CJ MedTec aims to become a world-leading company specializing in magnesium-based biodegradable alloy medical devices and a global healthcare partner contributing to the improvement of quality of life for humanity."