Published: 19 June 2007
Helping Sports Injuries Heal Faster
Athletes could soon have access to new technology for helping repair cartilage with a medical device being developed by Cambridge-based OrthoMimetics Limited.
ChondroMimetic is a small device used for repairing articular-cartilage damage, a problem common to sporting injuries. It's made from a special material that closely resembles the structure of the surrounding cartilage and bone, making it easier for healing to occur.
When implanted by a surgeon, it helps the body to heal damaged cartilage more rapidly. The product's make-up is more like natural tissue than any other products on the market, which makes it easier for the body's cells to replace it with healthy cartilage.
The £3.25 million project, backed by £817,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry, will involve a preclinical trial and a pilot clinical trial to further test the device and obtain permission for it to be sold in the EU.
Visiting the OrthoMimetics facility in Cambridge, Science and Innovation Minister, Malcolm Wicks said:
"This research looks like a real winner - not only for UK business but for all the millions of people suffering from sports-related and other injuries every year across the world.
If this product leads to patients having a more rapid recovery time, it would add to their comfort and create savings on healthcare by reducing the risk that they would eventually need a total joint replacement.
We're keen to support companies like OrthoMimetics and help build the UK's expertise to make us a world leader in important fields like regenerative medicine."
ChondroMimetic is expected to be on the market in the EU in late 2008 or early 2009.
An estimated 1,000,000 knee-cartilage related procedures are performed in the EU each year, with the cost of total joint replacements worldwide exceeding $30bn.
Led by OrthoMimetics, the project is being conducted in partnership with the University of Cambridge Orthopaedic Research Unit located at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Dr Enda Kenny, COO of OrthoMimetics, said:
"A key aspect of this development programme is the strong emphasis that it places on generating objective, and comprehensive clinical data.
ChondroMimetic has the potential to be a significant and cost-effective improvement over existing treatments, and we look forward to demonstrating this potential over the course of this project."
Further information
OrthoMimetics Limited
ChondroMimetic
DTI: Technology Strategy - Supporting the Research, Development and Innovation
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