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The success story of Spirecut The success story of Spirecut

Spirecut

Hand surgery using ultrasound rather than cutting into the skin? Spirecut, founded by orthopaedics and surgery expert Frédéric Schuind in 2020, is all about this medical revolution. The patented tools from Spirecut are made in Switzerland and have been available since autumn 2023. At the beginning of the year, the company moved from Fribourg to Muttenz and it now employs six people. The last three years have seen a steep development curve and lots of awards. The ‘100 fürs Baselbiet’ initiative, which means ‘100 for the Basel region’, is a cornerstone of this success story.

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Interview with Spirecut

What is the meaning of the company name ‘Spirecut’?

«Our name represents the key properties and design of our surgical tools. ‘Spire’ stands for ‘Swiss Percutaneous Instruments’, which on the one hand underlines our commitment to quick, efficient surgery and on the other hand reflects the conical form of our tools. ‘Cut’ describes the ability of our tools to treat dense pathological tissue precisely and effectively, for diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger.»

In short: What is revolutionary about your innovation?

«Our method represents a breakthrough in hand surgery. It uses ultrasound guidance in conjunction with patented surgical tools that make cutting into the skin unnecessary. This means the treatment leaves no scars and there is no need for dressings. Patients can resume normal life quickly after surgery.»

You have already achieved a great deal in just three years, including a third place in the SIC 2022. What is your recipe for success?

«Our success is based on a simple, threefold philosophy:

The focus is on patient outcomes and quick healing.
Quality standards are scrupulously maintained, as evidenced by the CE label for 2023 and the FDA approval for 2022.
We adapt quickly to the changing needs of the healthcare market.

We are making a contribution to improving health economics, in our case largely by shifting traditional surgery out of the operating theatre and into outpatient facilities. This approach was decisive in receiving awards such as the third place in the Swiss Innovation Challenge Award 2022 and reaching the shortlist for the Top Startup Finalists in the MassChallenge 2021.»

How have the ‘100 fürs Baselbiet’ initiative and the BLKB, the cantonal bank of the canton of Basel-Land, supported you along the way?

«Both the initiative and the support of the BLKB have been cornerstones of our growth. We were offered financial support, a dynamic workplace at ‘The 5th Floor’ in Muttenz and a collaborative ecosystem of partnerships of the University for Applied Sciences of Northwest Switzerland for research and development projects.»

Why is the Basel region the perfect place for your company?

«Basel is one of the key life science ecosystems in the world, with a central location and direct access to France and Germany – the most important European markets. This strategic positioning is ideal for the operative headquarters of our company and allows a speedy market entry in the EU.»

Have there also been difficult moments and hurdles to overcome since the company was founded?

«The way to where we are now has definitely been challenging, especially when it came to obtaining the CE label. We have pursued a consistent, detailed and strict approach in order to meet the regulatory requirements.»

Where are you heading next?

«2024 will be a year of expansion thanks to sales partnerships with the Sovereign Medical Group (for the British, American and Canadian market) and Curmed AG (for the Swiss market). In addition, we recently received a research and development grant of CHF 800,000 from Innosuisse and Innovate UK to fund the training of our surgeons.»

What advice would you give start-ups from the medical technology sector?

«The focus should be on developing solutions that offer tangible benefits to all involved, especially from a health economics perspective. It is also important to find your feet within the regulatory setting and comply carefully with safety guidelines.»