Ilika’s Stereax M300 battery with a pen and pencil for scale [Photo courtesy of Ilika]
Battery developer Ilika has signed a 10-year deal for Cirtec Medical to manufacture Stereax batteries in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The two medtech suppliers announced their partnership on the millimeter-scale, solid-state batteries in January. Now, Ilika and Cirtec Medical say they have “concluded contractual negotiations” with the decade-long manufacturing license.
The ultrathin, rechargeable Stereax batteries can enable medical device developers to design smaller implants, wearable devices, sensors and other smart components.
Related: How tiny solid-state batteries enable smaller implants that recharge faster
Select medtech developers have already received limited shipments of Stereax batteries from Romsey, England-based Ilika’s U.K. manufacturing facility.
The first shipments of Stereax M50 cells were announced in April, followed by shipments of stacked Stereax M300 cells in May. (The stacked M300 cells are six M50 cells connected in parallel.)
It’s not clear when Stereax cells will be available in bulk. One customer that has received limited shipments — Lura Health, the developer of a rechargeable oral saliva sensor that can be worn like a retainer or permanently implanted in a patient’s dental work — expects bulk shipments of stacked M300 batteries as soon as next year.
Related: 4 tips for sensor miniaturization from Lura Health
“We are delighted to be working with Cirtec for the commercialization of Stereax,” Ilika CEO Graeme Purdy said in a news release. “Cirtec has a strong track record in the commercialization of miniature medical devices and we believe this partnership is well-positioned to ensure a high quality, reliable and scalable supply of Stereax batteries to our customers.”
With Brooklyn Park, Minnesota-based Cirtec handling manufacturing and commercialization, Ilika said it will focus on advanced technology development and IP licensing.
“We are excited by the prospect of adding Stereax battery technology to our portfolio of medical device solutions,” Cirtec Medical CEO Brian Highley said in the release. “Our 20 years of experience in the design, development and manufacture of medical devices positions Cirtec strongly to work with Ilika to bring its Stereax battery technology to market. We believe this collaboration fits right into our strengths and expands upon our mission to vertically integrate our capabilities to support our offerings to the implantable and wearable device markets.”