AO Research Institute Davos’ purpose

AO Research Institute Davos goals

Overall goals

• Contribute high-quality applied preclinical research and development (exploratory and translational) focused on clinical solutions and applications.
• Investigate and improve the performance of materials, biologics, and devices for surgical procedures and treatments.
• Foster a close relationship with the AO network, academic societies, and universities.
• Provide a supportive, inclusive and diverse research environment and mentorship for our employees, scientists, and the AO network.

ARI goals, 2023-25

• Valorize AO Fracture Monitor together with AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC).
• Implement the specific-pathogen-free sheep flock in studies.
• Valorize the biphasic plate together with AO ITC.
• Strengthen and advance research activities in patient diagnostics and personalized medicine.
• Develop training technologies to support education within the AO network.
• Continue developing 3D (bio)printing and SIM technologies.

ARI principles

• Maintain world-class research standing and nurture in-house talents for long-term innovation.
• Support the AO network with cutting-edge research and development for clinical problems.
• Continue developing ARI technology portfolio. Translate and valorize ARI innovations together with the AO ITC's Technology Transfer team.
• Maintain our world-class certifications (ISO, AAALAC, GLP).
• Engage with scientific networks and consortia: global (eg, ORS, TERMIS, ICORS) and European societies (eg, DKOU, ECLAM, ESB-Biomaterials, ESB-Biomechanics, EORS, TERMIS-EU).

AO Research Institute Davos projects are applied preclinical research or applied preclinical development projects focused towards clinical applications. Definitions (within the applied research):

• Exploratory applied preclinical research is fundamental research, to solve major clinical problems over an extended timeframe (over ten years).
• Translational applied preclinical research aims at developing a clinical applicable result in around five years and builds upon the fundamental applied preclinical research. This research is usually not possible without the previous fundamental applied preclinical research.