Our Company
Artonis is dedicated to revolutionizing the field of orthopedic surgery by providing innovative medical products – based on cutting-edge biomedical material science – that enhance minimally invasive techniques. Our focus is on improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery with specialized solutions for
- hemostasis
- spinal disc repair
- cartilage regeneration
Based in Zürich, Switzerland (surrounded by Balgrist University Hospital, University Zürich, ETH Zürich, EMPA, Balgrist Campus, etc.) Artonis strives to translate material science into cutting-edge products that deliver superior patient care and meet the needs of healthcare professionals and hospitals.
The team of Artonis combines years of experience in orthopedic surgery, clinical research, medical device engineering and development as well as cutting-edge material science. Artonis’ passion for innovation to develop ground-breaking solutions is grounded into the highly innovative and diverse team, consisting of biopolymer chemists, material scientists, nanotechnology experts, active surgeons, medical device experts and lab experts. We know that minimally invasive surgeries – enabled by new materials and safe and easy-to-use delivery systems – will shape the future of orthopedic surgeries.
Our Approach
Orthopedic procedures often face challenges such as excessive intraoperative bleeding, long recovery periods, and inadequate repair and healing, which can lead to readmissions. Existing solutions do not adequately address these problems, which can lead to complications and ongoing patient suffering.
The company aims to improve the quality of life for patients by developing innovative medical materials and smart delivery systems, which will be delivered in surgical kits. The solutions are designed to shorten recovery time and minimize surgical risks. This increases the overall efficiency of operations and improves patient treatment outcomes. The products developed by the company are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing surgical procedures, thereby creating added value and increasing effectiveness, besides the overall outcome for the patient.
Our Technology
Our goal is to translate cutting-edge material science into surgical technologies that redefine what’s possible in soft tissue repair. Rooted in science, inspired by clinical need, and driven by purpose, our team is building the next generation of implantable solutions: smart, regenerative, and radically effective.
Working with us
Artonis is a bold new venture from Balgrist University Hospital, and we are looking for exceptional material science experts, biopolymer chemists, medical device engineers, quality and regulatory experts and technical project leaders to join us. If you are a scientist or medical device expert with out-of-the box thinking, scientific rigor and the drive to bring inventions to reach patients, you are exactly who we’re looking for. Stay tuned for the upcoming job postings… right here.
Senior Mechanical / Biomedical Engineer (ETH, University) … search will start again in April 2026
Publications
O. Cipolato, T. Leuthold, M. Zaech, G. Maennel, S. Aegerter, C. Sciascia, A. Jessernig, S. Sarcevic, J. Rosendorf, V. Liska, D. Kundrat, R. Quidant, I.K Herrmann*, Robotic Laser Tissue Soldering for Damage-free Soft Tissue Fusion Guided by Fluorescent Nanothermometry, Advanced Science, 2024.
Our Management
Dr. Flurin Stauffer, CTO
Flurin Stauffer is an R&D and innovation leader with over 10 years of experience at the intersection of biomedical engineering, materials science, and healthcare technology. He co-founded the ETH spin-off Nanoleq in 2017, serving as Head of R&D and main inventor of the company’s smart textile technology platform, until its successful acquisition by Myant in 2024 to advance preventive, personalized healthcare with medical wearables. He holds a PhD and Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from ETH Zurich, where his doctoral research on implantable stretchable electronics earned him two national research awards.
Dr. Richard Whitfield, Head of Research
Richard Whitfield is a polymer chemist with over a decade of experience in advanced polymer synthesis and degradation. He obtained his Master’s degree in Chemistry from Durham University, where he developed thermoset coatings, and went on to complete his PhD at the University of Warwick, focusing on radical polymerization and the design of functional polymers for RNA delivery. Following his doctorate, he joined ETH Zurich, first as a Postdoctoral Researcher and later as a Senior Scientist in the Laboratory of Sustainable Polymers, where his research centred on the synthesis, degradation and chemical recycling of precision polymeric materials. An author of more than 50 scientific publications, he brings deep expertise in polymer chemistry, materials design, and sustainable macromolecular engineering to advance the development of innovative materials.
Elmar Zurbriggen, CEO
Elmar brings over 25 y. of experience in medical devices and orthopedics. Elmar was Vice President for the entire Orthopedics Business in EMEA at J&J DePuy Synthes and previously served as VP Synthes Trauma, global R&D Director and Head of Market Development, Surgeon Education and Powertools Operations. He has also successfully grown biopharma businesses and sold to Private Equity (Solvias). He has a master in biotechnology from ETH Zürich and a master in business administration from St. Gallen (HSG).
Prof. Dr. Inge K. Herrmann, Founder
Inge Herrmann is a leading expert in the field of medical technology. She is a professor at the University of Zurich and Balgrist, where she is involved in research and teaching. At Balgrist, Herrmann founded the Ingenuity Lab, which specializes in innovative developments in the fields of medical materials and technologies with the aim of applying them in orthopedic soft tissue research. She has also spearheaded several translational nanomedicine projects, and serves as a scientific advisor of the spin-off company hemotune. Prof. Herrmann has won various awards, including the Bayer Healthcare Award, the Johnson & Johnson Award and the SNF Eccellenza Fellowship. She is principle investigator (PI) of several national and international projects supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), several medical foundations (incl. the Swiss Heart Foundation, Helmut Horten Foundation, Bangerter Rhyner Foundation and the Mayenfisch Foundation), the Novartis Foundation, the Novartis FreeNovation Initiative and the Personalized Health and Related Technologies (PHRT) Initiative of the ETH Domain.
Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad, Consultant
Prof. Farshad is Medical Director and Chief Physician of Orthopedics and Spinal Surgery at Balgrist University Hospital, Director of the University Spine Center Zurich, and Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Zurich. He initiated and co-founded OR-X (Operating Room X), a novel translational research and teaching center for surgery at Balgrist University Hospital, which provides researchers and developers with an infrastructure for the efficient development and validation of new technologies.