REBORN
Bone-strengthening medications for osteoporosis and cancer have side effects that can damage the jaw, which can lead to major problems. In this project, REBORN, an innovative gel is being developed that helps the body repair lost bone and fights infections.
Motivation
When people in the Netherlands receive medication to strengthen their bones, for example for osteoporosis or cancer, a serious side effect can occur: part of the jawbone dies off. This dead bone does not heal, becomes exposed in the mouth, and causes chronic pain and persistent infections. For patients, this means problems with eating and talking, and a significant reduction in their quality of life. The current treatment is often very invasive. Surgeons must remove the dead bone, which sometimes leads to major operations, and patients receive antibiotics for a long period. This approach is unpredictable and does not solve the core problem: the lost bone does not grow back and the infection can return.
Goal
This project, named REBORN, aims to prove the effectiveness of an injectable gel in a model that closely resembles the human jaw. Ultimately, we want to offer a treatment that is less painful, restores jaw function, and reduces the need for major surgery and long-term medication, so that patients can return to a normal life sooner.
Method
Our team has therefore developed a smart, injectable gel. This gel consists of gelatin and tiny particles of bone mineral, the natural building blocks of our own bone. The gel has a dual action: it forms a mold in which the body itself can grow new, healthy bone, and can simultaneously release medication to fight an infection at exactly the right spot.
Partners
HAN, Radboudumc, INBORN
Drug Discovery
A start-up project in the drug discovery phase has between a 5-10% chance of making it to the research phase. At that stage, the success rate is about 10% to make it to market. Thus, a start-up drug project has a very small chance of eventually reaching 'the shelves'. The researchers of this professorship contribute to drug development.
