Kazakhstan is developing digital orthopedics, which brings together doctors, engineers, and additive technologies.
What happened
In Kazakhstan, medical devices are created using 3D scanning, digital modeling, and additive technologies. This approach allows for the abandonment of plaster casts and the creation of orthopedic products that take into account the anatomical features of individual patients. Digital orthopedics is being developed by the manufacturing company Additive Innovation Technologies (AIT) and the medical center "Ortotis - Central Asia." They have combined engineering developments, their own production, and modern clinical practice in one location.
Details
Classical orthopedics has relied on uncomfortable plaster casts, manual adjustments, and multiple fittings for decades. The digital approach changes this process. The patient undergoes diagnostics and 3D scanning, after which specialists receive an accurate model of the human body to design the product. This reduces production time and makes rehabilitation more comfortable. Thanks to additive technologies, products are lightweight, durable, and perfectly replicate the patient's anatomy.
"In Kazakhstan, most similar products remained imported, production timelines were lengthy, and many technologies were absent. The idea then arose: why should Kazakhstani patients wait months and depend on foreign manufacturers if this area can be developed domestically? Thus, the idea was born to create our own high-tech production, followed by a medical center to work in tandem. When a doctor participates in the digital modeling of a product, and an engineer understands the clinical task, a fundamentally different quality level is achieved. That's why we say we are creating not just products, but individual medical solutions for each patient," shared Ayan Alimzhan, Director of AIT and Ortotis - Central Asia.
According to him, the engineering core of the project is Additive Innovation Technologies. The company possesses a full range of competencies: industrial 3D scanning, reverse engineering, CAD/CAM design, high-precision metrology, and additive manufacturing. Based on this, a medical center was created where trauma orthopedists, neuro-orthopedists, prosthetic technicians, and rehabilitators work.
To develop its own production, the company formed an international network of partners. In the medical field, they include "Ortotis-Premium" from Russia and Invent Medical from the Czech Republic. In the field of industrial 3D printing, the strategic partner is Farsoon Technologies, a manufacturer of industrial SLS systems. Syncam provides engineering support and the implementation of selective laser sintering technologies.
A Digital Industry from Scratch
Full-fledged production officially started in October 2025. Currently, the enterprise utilizes about 30% of its production capacity but already produces about 70 individual items per month. Since its inception, more than 400 patients have received qualified assistance and ready orthopedic constructions.
"Our patients come from almost all regions of Kazakhstan. Additionally, we collaborate with patients and medical organizations from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Korea, and China, confirming the high level of trust in our technologies and specialists. In fact, we have managed to create a digital orthopedics industry in Kazakhstan almost from scratch," noted Ayan Alimzhan.
What Products are Manufactured
Today, the enterprise produces a wide range of high-tech products, including Cheneau corsets for treating scoliosis in children and adolescents, cranial helmets Ortotis and Talee for correcting the skull shape of infants, and products for conservative treatment of pectus excavatum and carinatum - in partnership with the leading thoracic surgeon of the CIS, Viktor Markushin.
A particular pride of the team is mastering the production of complex Slovenian-Czech ankle orthoses using the PIRO technology. Producing such products requires the highest qualification of personnel, which not all orthopedic centers possess internationally.
"Even among international partners of Invent Medical, not all centers have the necessary competencies. For our team, mastering this technology in such a short time was a significant achievement," explained the entrepreneur.
The next stage of development is expanding the range and transitioning to more complex medical products. In the future, a full cycle of manufacturing modern individualized upper and lower limb prostheses is planned. Another direction is industrial 3D metal printing.
"We believe that additive technologies will become the foundation of personalized surgery in the future. Therefore, we plan to master the design and production of individual metal implants, cranial plates, maxillofacial constructions, endoprostheses, and other personalized products based on CT data of specific patients. Our strategic goal is to create the largest center of competence in Central Asia in the field of digital orthopedics, prosthetics, personalized implants, and additive medical technologies," added Ayan Alimzhan.
Plans also include opening new branches in the regions of Kazakhstan and a partner network in Central Asian countries. This will allow more patients to be reached and make medical technologies more accessible.
Who Supported the Innovations
Creating a high-tech medical production requires significant investment. To implement the project, the company used state support mechanisms for entrepreneurship. Financing was secured through Nurbank under the "National Project for Entrepreneurship Development 2021-2025" program with support from the Damu Fund.
"To realize such a large-scale project, it is important to find a financial partner who understands the specifics of innovative business and is ready to work with long-term projects. For us, that partner was Nurbank. Today, our cooperation continues, and we consider Nurbank not just as a financial organization but as a reliable partner interested in the development of domestic high-tech production and digital medicine," noted Ayan Alimzhan.
According to him, Nurbank's employees demonstrated high professionalism and a deep understanding of the specifics of innovation-driven business. The bank's team promptly engaged in the work, competently structured the financing, and helped resolve complex non-standard issues at all stages of implementation.
How the Bank Evaluates Technological Projects
As BES.media was told by Alexey Mazhuga, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Nurbank, financing high-tech production requires a deeper analysis from the bank than traditional credit applications.
"It's important to assess the team's competencies, the practical applicability of the technology, market demand, and the enterprise's ability to ensure a sustainable cash flow. In the case of AIT, we see a combination of engineering expertise, in-house production, and clinical practice. This model allows the entire path to be completed - from digital diagnostics and modeling to manufacturing and applying an individual medical product," said Alexey Mazhuga.
In making the final decision, the bank relied on a comprehensive assessment of the enterprise's prospects, avoiding a one-sided approach to risks. The Deputy Chairman of the Board emphasized that the key to a successful deal is always the balance of all business components.
"One defining criterion cannot be singled out. A strong technology without a professional team may remain unrealized, while a promising business model without confirmed demand may not provide the necessary cash flow. Therefore, decisions are based on a combination of factors," explained Alexey Mazhuga.
According to him, state support tools through the Damu Fund play a key role in financing capital-intensive projects. They provide entrepreneurs access to credit resources on preferential terms. Depending on the specific program, this can include subsidizing remuneration rates or providing guarantees when collateral is insufficient. For banks, such mechanisms expand the ability to finance projects, including in new technology sectors.
"State programs do not replace the bank's project evaluation, but they make financing more accessible and long-term. Such tools are especially important for companies investing in localizing production, acquiring modern equipment, and creating products previously predominantly supplied from abroad," he added.
At Nurbank, they emphasized that cooperation with AIT will not be limited to a one-time loan. The bank is ready to accompany the enterprise in its subsequent development stages.
"It's important for us not only to finance the initial launch but to build long-term relationships with the client. As the business grows, its needs may change: from replenishing working capital to acquiring equipment, expanding production capacity, and fulfilling export contracts. The bank is ready to consider such tasks," noted the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Nurbank.
Why This Matters
For Kazakhstan, such projects address several goals simultaneously. Firstly, they localize the production of products that previously needed to be purchased abroad. This reduces import dependence and shortens wait times for patients.
Secondly, a new engineering expertise is being formed within the country. Digital medicine requires not only doctors but also specialists in 3D scanning, CAD/CAM modeling, digital metrology, additive manufacturing, and geometry control.
And finally, such projects bring together several industries: medicine, engineering, IT, production, and financial infrastructure. According to the project team, this kind of linkage can form the basis for creating a digital healthcare cluster in Kazakhstan.
License (Universal Bank License) for banking and other operations No. 1.1.849/146 issued by ARFR on 17.08.2026. License for securities market activity No. 1.2.15/193 issued by ARFR on 03.02.2020.
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