Venture capital firm Manitex Capital has acquired a 44% stake in Canada-based biotechnology company Ortho Regenerative Technologies, after Ortho licensed technology from Polytechnique Montréal.

Manitex invested $500,000 and provided $240,000 in debt financing. The firm will assist Ortho in obtaining regulatory approval and achieve commercial production scale for a range of products based on the technology licensed from Polytechnique Montréal last week.

The technology uses a freeze-dried polymer to repair damaged joints such as knees and shoulders. The material turns into microparticles that stimulate healing when it comes into contact with a wound.

Polytechnique Montréal has secured a three-year research and development contract from Ortho to further develop the technology.