New nanoclay to speed up bone fracture recovery time for patients

University of Southampton researchers have developed a new clay biomaterial that could speed up the recovery of broken or diseased bones.

Under the spinout company of Revonos, researchers have devised the injectable clay, which looks like a gel, to deliver drugs or biologics locally at the site needed, to promote new tissue ingrowth and tissue regeneration.

The research team believe the clay is cost effective, will save surgery time and speed up recovery time for patients.

Richard Oreffo, Professor of Musculoskeletal Science and Founder of Renovos, said: “While medical advances have led to a welcome increase in life expectancy, this has introduced new challenges in the form of a significant rise in age-related diseases and health care costs due to a rising aging population.

“There are nine million osteoporotic fracture each year and each year bone fractures cost the NHS £2billion. We need to find new ways of bringing this cost down as well as finding ways that improve the experience for patients and we believe our nanoclay will be able to do this.”

The nanoclay is injected into the fracture or disease site and stimulates bone stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues.