SEK 825,000 awarded to healthcare projects that can change lives

Each year, the Aleris Foundation allocates funding to projects that contribute to the development of healthcare in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Out of this year’s 26 applications, the jury has selected 11 projects to receive a total of SEK 825,000.

— The projects awarded this year combine innovation with patient benefits and reinforce our role as a leading healthcare provider, says Niclas Skyttberg, Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the Aleris Foundation.

This year’s applications highlight how healthcare professionals are actively driving progress in key areas such as day surgery, AI-based diagnostics, and digital solutions for both patients and staff. Among the top-ranked projects for 2024 is a Swedish initiative focusing on the use of knee prostheses for osteoarthritis, led by Henrik Nyberger, specialist in prosthetic surgery at Aleris Orthopaedics Nacka.

— This is fantastic news! It’s a much-appreciated contribution that will allow us to accelerate our work and reach meaningful results, says Henrik Nyberger. Our goal is to determine whether more partial knee replacements should be used for patients with knee osteoarthritis. We are working with data from the National Joint Registry and following up on patients who have undergone surgery.

— I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Olof Strömmer and Professor André Stark for introducing me to this surgical method, and I look forward to exploring this area further, he adds.

By combining clinical data with in-depth scientific analysis, Henrik and his team aim to provide better decision-making tools for orthopaedic surgeons and improved treatment outcomes for patients.

Additional Funded Projects

In Denmark, Peter Doering, Chief Consultant in Spinal Surgery, has been awarded the highest amount for a project on strength training for lower back pain. The top-ranked project in Norway is an evaluation of online rehabilitation after hip surgery, led by physiotherapist and osteopath Arne Herrem.

The following eight projects have also been awarded grants from the Aleris Foundation this year:

• Collateral ligament injuries, Grade II and III in the knee, Jamie Brown (Sweden)
• Evaluation of the Wheelchair School, Kerstin Wahman & Emelie Butler Forslund (Sweden)
• Evaluation of “patellar shaving” for jumper’s knee, Marita Löfgren Harringe (Sweden)
• Resting ECG-based prediction of work capacity, Karun Korkmaz (Sweden)
• Online ADHD/ADD support groups, Cathrine Mariager (Denmark)
• Study on pivot-bearing prosthesis design for knee replacement, Jørgen Jebens Nordskar (Norway)
• Tilt and Tumble technique in cataract surgery, Johan Ursberg (Sweden)
• Analysis of synovial fluid and cartilage in advanced thumb base osteoarthritis, My von Walter (Sweden)

About the Aleris Foundation

Founded in 2013, the Aleris Foundation has awarded SEK 18 million to 200 patient-centred research, development, and quality improvement projects in healthcare, with a strong emphasis on fostering innovation and new thinking. Grants can be applied for by Aleris employees.

Applications are evaluated based on five key criteria:

• Innovation and originality
• Development of methods and workflows, such as digitalisation
• Scientific quality
• Feasibility
• Benefits for patients and healthcare operations

The Jury

The jury is chaired by Niclas Skyttberg, Chief Medical Officer at Aleris Group, and includes Aleris’ Chief Medical Officers in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, as well as representatives from business development and corporate communications.