The repair of bone and cartilage damage is a major challenge in medicine. Currently, materials used to replace injured tissue have major disadvantages, such as insufficient strength, quality variations between batches and supply difficulties. In addition, for certain injuries, e.g. after a tracheotomy (opening of the windpipe to facilitate breathing) performed after a head and neck cancer, for example, there is still no suitable replacement.
An innovative solution could change all this. It involves the use of 100% natural biomaterials, which consist of two proteins (albumin and collagen) and are produced by self-assembly. They are used to produce tracheo-laryngeal implants and paediatric phalangeal grafts for the treatment of symbrachydactyly (a rare pathology that affects hand development and is characterized by short or missing fingers).
Four renowned laboratories specializing in biomaterials and bioengineering in the Upper Rhine region are joining forces in the project to develop this therapeutic strategy, which opens up a promising path for regenerative and personalized medicine. This therapeutic innovation could enter clinical trials within three years. Its potential to offer more effective and personalized solutions for tissue replacement opens up new perspectives for the treatment of bone and cartilage injuries and could improve the quality of life of many patients. It will also enrich the innovation ecosystem in the Upper Rhine region and benefit many pharmaceutical and medical technology companies in the region in the development of their future products.