Translating Of A Novel Cartilage Regeneration Technology Into A New Therapeutic Treatment For Patients With Focal Cartilage Injuries

Professor Chan, Barbara Pui   (Project Coordinator (PC))

Professor Chan Godfrey Chi Fung   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Yung Shu-Hang Patrick   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Li Wilson   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Yau Wai Pan   (Co-Investigator)

10

2017-10-03

2018-08-31

384774

Translating Of A Novel Cartilage Regeneration Technology Into A New Therapeutic Treatment For Patients With Focal Cartilage Injuries

Focal Cartilage Injuries, New Therapeutic Treatment, Novel Cartilage Regeneration Technology, Patients

Biomedical Engineering

Engineering (E)

InP/277/17

Innovation and Technology Fund Internship Programme

2017

Completed

Forty percents of aged populations have cartilage damages but the few existing treatment options have significant drawbacks. Therefore, better treatment alternatives are urgently needed. Our team has developed a cartilage regeneration technology where autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and collagen biomaterials are grown into an osteochondral plug with cartilage and bone tissues mimicking the native tissue structures. Evaluation of the cartilage regeneration technology in animal models with critical sized cartilage injuries showed promising results with obvious advantages over traditional treatment options. The current project aims to translate this technology into a novel therapeutic treatment for patients with symptomatic traumatic cartilage defects of defined size. Specifically, the tissue growth process will be developed into a series of standard operation procedures compliant to clinical Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines and the safety and efficacy of the osteochondral plug will be evaluated in human by comparing with the most common treatment option micro-fracture. If successful, a new and better alternative therapeutic treatment will be available to help millions of patients with cartilage damages.