Physical and Biological Characterisation of a Novel Injectable Scaffold Formulation

- In the UK, the calculated fracture incidence is 3.6 fractures per 100 people per year¹. The prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of fragility fractures is exceeding ahead of predictions due to rapidly changing population demographics. The level of morbidity associated with such fractures combined with the limitations of current therapies is high with inimical effects on the quality of life. Hence, there is a clinical need for the development of a sythetic bone graft substitute with the potential to deliver cells and bioactive molecules through minimally invasive techniques. This project has developed and tested an existing novel injectable scaffold that self-assemblesin situto form a biodegradable porous osteoconductive material. Thus, it has been possible to deliver osteogenic components within a scaffold that shares similar physical properties to cancellous bone.