Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that the matter of the well being of the future of a country and its increasing prosperity are closely related to entrepreneur numbers and quality, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is for this reason that we established the TOBB University of Economy and Technology (TOBB ETU) in order put forth an education model which derives its power and foundation from entrepreneurship. The success of our teachers and students makes us deeply proud.”

- TOBB ETU’s exalting successes

Talking about developments in the field of medical technology as an example of TOBB ETU’s successes, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The latest example of the success of our University is that one of our faculty members has entered the list of 40 people under the age of 40 to be the best in the field of medical technology, the first academic in Turkey to do so. The person to do so was TOBB ETU Engineering Faculty Biomedical Engineering Department Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Teyfik Demir. The award is given to scientists who greatly innovate in the field of medical technology by the Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry organization in Britain. The award was given to Dr. Demir, who opened the first implant test center called Labiotech in Turkey, in June. Dr. Demir was nominated by two professional committees in Germany and the Netherlands to be entered into this list.

Dr. Teyfik Demir was the first faculty member to receive his doctorate degree from TOBB ETU. His doctorate thesis was on the subject of the performance of the prostheses used in spinal surgeries. He picked this subject in order to fill a gap in the sector which he observed during the joint education program’s industry visits.

He is now opening Turkey’s first Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory. He established the Biotechnology Laboratory Company named Labiotech with great support from TOBB ETU in 2011.”

- Test which costs 23,000 Euros in Germany costs 5,000 TL in Turkey

Stating that said laboratory is the only one in Turkey, and is viewed as one of the important centers in Europe, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The laboratory performs tests on prostheses used in spinal and trauma surgeries. On the results of these tests, it is decided whether the prostheses can be used by people.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that these tests are legal obligations and went on, “The results of the tests conducted here are accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration and the institutions authorized by the European Union. As these tests are legal obligations, they had to be done abroad before. The lab started conducting tests at a tenth of the prices found abroad. The test which costs 23,000 Euros in Germany is conducted for 5,000 in Turkey. One of the largest costs for local producers was these tests. As the costs of testing decreased and were able to be conducted quickly in Turkey, R&D results soon started gaining marketability.”

- Solution for the delayed entry of Turkish products into markets

Reminding that as laboratories abroad give priority to their national testing, TOBB President and TOBB ETU Board of Trustees Chairman Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkish products are being delayed from entering into markets due to this and went on:
“Our faculty member has quickly begun producing solution. This is why the MDDI has focused on him. This is the reason the number of Turkish manufacturers has increased by three times in a year. Importers have invested in machinery and started producing locally. The number of producers of medical equipment designed to be left inside the body have reached 30. There were only 8 when he started his business. Many companies have stopped importing.

Another important point to note is that the cost of these high added value goods to the government has decreased. The drop of costs for local producers has brought with it import substitution. As the number of local producers increased, the domestic market became too small for them and they have started entering foreign markets in Iran and Russia.”

- 3 Turkish companies in the US market

The professor has established Labiotech’s US branch and begun FDA consultation to Turkish producers to enter the American market. Three Turkish companies have already entered the US market. The number of Turkish prosthesis models sold in Europe is has surpassed 20. Labiotech is providing service to 14 countries.
Dr. Teyfik Demir has designed and produced all testing equipment in use at the laboratory and holds the patents for all of them. Dr. Demir has completed the 15th patent procedure for a process for spinal surgery and has licensed 8 of his patents to national and international companies.”

- TOBB ETU Foreign Language Department has won the European Language Award for the second time

TOBB President and TOBB ETU Board of Trustees Chairman M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu talking about TOBB ETU’s international successes stated that TOBB ETU Foreign Language Department has won the European Language Award for the second time.

- Dr. Teyfik Demir

Dr. Teyfik Demir, one of the top 40 scientists in the field of medical technology said, “I received my doctorate degree from TOBB ETU in 2011. I was also the first post graduate and doctorate student of TOBB ETU. I can easily say that TOBB ETU has been my alma mater.

I developed armor capable of stopping armor-piercing bullets during my post graduate time in TOBB ETU. I steered towards the medical field. I conducted my thesis studies at the Ankara University Medical Faculty Brain and Nerve Surgery. I conducted research on the biomechanical performances of the products used in spinal surgeries. This was a result of my student visits to the industry during my time at the University as a part of the Joint Education program and seeing a need for it.”

At the moment Labiotech is providing its services in 14 countries while TOBB ETU Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory is conducting joint studies with 5 brain and neurosurgery groups from Turkey and foreign countries.”
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