Tino Matter: “Revolutionizing chronic wound care”
Tino Matter studied nanosciences at the University of Basel before obtaining a PhD from ETH. He is a co-founder of the start-up “anavo medical”, which aims to use nanoparticles to greatly improve the healing of chronic wounds.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
I have always been fascinated by natural sciences. However, as a child I never saw it as a potential job. Now I am delighted that I have managed to turn this fascination into a career.
You originally studied at the University of Basel?
Yes, it was in Basel that I obtained my Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in nanosciences, majoring in physics. While studying for my Master’s, I worked on semester projects in Barcelona, at ETH and Empa (The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology). I then obtained my PhD from ETH. I was really excited by the projects available at ETH. The labs have lots of great equipment and the entire infrastructure can be put to very flexible use. I was also always very inspired by my fellow undergraduates and PhD students, those in both my own research group and others.
“Working under the ETH umbrella is hugely beneficial.”Tino Matter
You are a co-founder of the “anavo medical” start-up and also employed by ETH?
Yes, Sebastian Loy and I have drummed up enough money to be able to concentrate fully on our start-up. We are funded by ETH and other sponsors. Working under the ETH umbrella is hugely beneficial. We have access to the labs and ETH provides additional infrastructure too. Sebastian gained his Master’s in Accounting & Finance at the University of St. Gallen and is responsible for the business side of things. There are also two postdocs working on the project and we have several advisers and other cooperations, which are financed from other sources.
What specifically are you working on?
We are working on new kinds of inorganic nanoparticles with the aim of stimulating the healing of chronic and other wounds. These particles create an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial environment locally where wounds can heal well.
Has there already been a lot of work in this field or are you pioneers?
Since wound healing is an important subject and of great clinical interest, there are numerous approaches to improving the process. Yet there is still no technology to solve the problems we currently face. We differ from other companies in that we are exclusively using inorganic materials. Others have been trying to use biological derivatives for decades but very little progress has been made to date. Our completely different approach gives us a major competitive edge.
I have also read something about skin grafts in this context.
Yes, that is one potential application but we are not pursuing it as a matter of priority. Of course, failed grafts are also linked to wounds not healing properly. And the same applies to complications resulting from surgery. These fields are further potential applications for our nanoparticles. But, we are concentrating first and foremost on chronic wounds.
“Meeting other start-ups at these kinds of contests is very inspiring.”Tino Matter
In 2021 you won the Swiss MNT Network start-up prize. Was this a special achievement?
It is encouraging to continually receive recognition for your work. Prizes like this go some way towards validating what we are doing – not just the technology but also our entire mission and plan. Meeting other start-ups at these kinds of contests is very inspiring. Even if they are working in different sectors, we always find that we are facing similar challenges. We learn from one another, especially about things that you will not find in any books. For example, a tip on administrative matters or a recommendation for an advisor who proved to be very useful.
What makes a start-up in the medical sector so special?
The challenges are specific to the sector because the market is highly regulated. You have to meet several, very precisely defined requirements. Things are different in other areas where you work much closer to your customers. If you are developing an app or website, you can get feedback directly from users and make changes accordingly. But right from the outset, we are not able to do that.
So how do you get your product approved? Do you test it on people?
Exactly, we have to run various tests on the product itself then there are clinical trials involving people. Later on, we submit an extensive dossier to the authorities for the approval. It is a very long-winded and expensive process. Funding is a huge issue for us. The more funding we have, the faster we can progress.
What timetable are you working to?
We are currently at the pre-clinical phase, so we have not yet tried the product in humans. Depending on how long the studies take, we are hoping to gain approval in around seven years.
What motivates you at a personal level?
Because the work I do differs hugely from one day to the next, my daily routine is never boring. Generally speaking, I motivate myself by looking at future goals and the positive impacts that our project or product may have. The perfect outcome would be for our nanoparticles to significantly improve the healing of wounds for a large number of patients and therefore help a lot of people. In terms of technology and product, I am always thinking about our goals and then kind of working backwards to figure out how we get there. That is maybe not the most intuitive approach but then I always have the bigger picture in view yet can still focus on every step of the journey.
Do have any personal tips for students at ETH?
ETH gives you unique opportunities for developing as a person alongside gaining your degree. In addition to sporting and cultural activities, there are always opportunities to realise your own projects – ideally in a team. Initiatives, such as the Student Project House and the Pioneer Fellowship, are excellent ways of gaining skills which will complement your degree. And it goes without saying that they give you the satisfaction of being able to do “your own thing”. You have your own project, make your own decisions and take responsibility for them. I would also recommend spending a semester abroad. You will learn how other cultures find solutions to problems and broaden your horizons. I think it’s very important to gain an extensive base of knowledge and a wide range of experience by the time you graduate.
