Subtilis Biomaterials, new spin-off for bone-regeneration technology
A team of researchers, headed up by former Rector of the UPC Francesc Xavier Gil, will develop latest generation injectable foam as an alternative to bone transplants.
By Biocat
Professor Francesc Xavier Gil, alongside researchers Maria Pau Ginebra, David Pastorino and Yassine Maazouz, has created the spin-off Subtilis Biomaterials, which focuses on transferring results of research carried out by the Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia-BarcelonaTech (UPC) to patients.
The need for this type of materials is growing due to the ageing population and the increasing number of bone-related diseases like osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, osteomyelitis and vertebrae fractures. Bone is one of the most frequently transplanted tissues, with approximately 1 million interventions each year in Europe, despite the many difficulties involved, like second surgeries and limited availability.
In this regard, synthetic materials are a highly attractive alternative, which are gaining ground in both the field of orthopedic surgery and odontology.
One of the materials that Subtilis Biomaterials will develop is a latest-generation injectable calcium-phosphate foam with inherent biological properties. This material can facilitate and even induce biological processes that lead to regeneration of lost bone, and can also be used as a drug-delivery system. It can be injected using minimally invasive surgical techniques and hardens once implanted in the human body. These properties make it an innovative product compared to other bone-regeneration materials.
More information is available on the UPC website.