UK-based orthopaedic medical device company and University of Malta (UoM) Spinoff Garland Surgical has announced the successful close of a €3.5 million seed funding round as it ramps up preparations for a larger Series A financing aimed at bringing its TriActiv Hip system closer to commercialisation.

The funding package includes €2.1 million in equity financing, alongside up to €1.4 million in non-dilutive grant funding from Malta Enterprise. According to the company, the investment will support ongoing product development, regulatory preparation and early clinical activities linked to its patented TriActiv Hip system, previously known as MaltaHip.

Garland Surgical said it is now launching preparations for a larger Series A financing round with the support of Ferghana Partners, a specialist life sciences investment bank with offices in New York, California and London. The financing is expected to help fund clinical studies, regulatory submissions for FDA and MDR clearance, and future commercialisation efforts in key international markets.

The company was founded in 2022 and is headquartered near Worcester in the United Kingdom, with operations in Malta and collaborations across Europe. It focuses on developing next-generation orthopaedic implants aimed at improving mobility, stability and durability for hip replacement patients. The technology was developed on UoM’s invention, and it owns the company’s intellectual property.

The TriActiv Hip system has evolved from the MaltaHip project led by Simon Mifsud, Garland Surgical’s co-founder and CEO. Professor Pierre Schembri-Wismayer is the lead inventor while Maltese Surgeon Ryan Giordimaina is on the advisory board.

Garland describes the TriActiv Hip as a “next-generation triaxial hip system” designed to provide a wider and more natural range of motion while also aiming to improve stability and reduce wear compared to traditional ball-and-socket implants. The company believes the technology could address the needs of both high-demand and high-risk patients, including those prone to dislocation and instability.

“Closing this seed round is a pivotal milestone in our journey to deliver a true ‘hip for life’,” said Simon Mifsud.

“The confidence shown by our investors and collaborators enables the company not only to complete development of the TriActiv Hip platform and move towards regulatory submissions in the EU and USA, but also to launch our Series A financing in partnership with Ferghana Partners. We intend to progress towards first-in-human clinical studies and commercial preparation that can transform outcomes for patients worldwide,” he added.

Professor Ed Davis, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, said the system could help address ongoing challenges linked to instability risk in hip replacement procedures.

“While dual mobility has helped address this problem, it is not a perfect solution, and more constrained design options bring their own challenges. The TriActiv Hip has the potential to offer stability in a more balanced way, better aligned to the needs of higher-risk and active patients,” he said.

Garland Surgical’s Chief Technology Officer, John Shapland, also said the company aims to develop implants suited to modern lifestyles and longer life expectancy.

“Patients want a hip that feels natural, stays stable and lasts for decades, and our triaxial design targets these demands head on,” he said.

According to the company, the seed financing will primarily be used to complete the final design and verification of the TriActiv Hip system, strengthen quality and regulatory infrastructure, and support planning for first-in-human clinical trials.

Garland said its planned Series A financing will likely be structured in two stages, with the first tranche focusing on regulatory clearance preparation and submissions, and the second intended to support clinical trials and market entry.

Main image: Simon Mifsud, Garland Surgical’s co-founder and CEO