Nanova celebrates new facility

Nanova Biomaterials, Inc., an early stage bio-tech company, celebrated the first-look of their 6000 square foot facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 30. The ceremony took place at the $1.5 million facility and Mayor Bob McDavid, Vicki Russel, the past chair of Regional Economic Development Inc., as well as several local and state economic development agencies were all in attendance.

Four researchers incorporated Nanova, which specializes in dental and orthopedic devices, in 2007. Dr. Hao Li, Dr. Qingsong Yu, Dr. Meng Chen and Dr. Kenneth Lambert have made huge strides with the company over the last four years, gaining more than $5 million in investments from Chinese venture capitalists, winning awards for economic development from the University of Missouri and receiving FDA approval to launch and sell their first medical product, a 5 percent sodium fluoride varnish.

The company is currently working on securing FDA approval for their Plasma Brush, a dental instrument that will disinfect cavities before filling and bone screws. Although Li is hopeful that the Plasma Brush will receive approval within the next year or two, he believes the process for approving the bone screws will be much longer, upwards of six to eight years. The opening of the new facility on Mojave Court is expected to create 50 new jobs within the next five years. While Nanova currently employs 13 individuals, the company plans to double its workforce by 2016.