Innovative orthopaedic glue for implants to repair damaged cartilage
Our project, a public-private partnership between the University of Twente (UT) and Hy2Care, aims to develop a specialized orthopaedic adhesive with improved fixation and integration for better repair and clinical outcomes. By combining UT's fundamental research expertise with Hy2Care’s product development capabilities, this partnership seeks to enhance existing cartilage repair technologies and significantly improve patient outcomes.
Osteoarthritis (OA) severely disrupts daily life, leading to chronic pain, diminished mobility, and heightened social isolation, which can contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The condition places a considerable strain on healthcare systems due to the frequent need for medical visits, treatments, and potentially surgeries. Moreover, OA impacts employment, with affected individuals often facing reduced work capacity or leaving the workforce entirely. 1,26 million people in The Netherlands suffer from OA in one or more joints. The average annual cost per patient is €13.673, encompassing direct healthcare expenses and indirect costs from lost productivity. This substantial economic burden highlights the urgent need for effective and innovative interventions.
Hy2Care's Orthopaedic Glue improves cartilage repair through strong fixation, aiming to delay or prevent osteoarthritis onset. The project includes extensive R&D, cost-effectiveness evaluations, and strategic partnerships to enhance patient outcomes and lower healthcare expenses. By offering a cost-effective solution that delays or prevents OA for several years with minimal additional costs, Hy2Care’s Orthopaedic Glue provides significant value to both patients and society, reducing the need for expensive joint replacements. The deliverables include a comprehensive Innovation guide after a successful round table session (WP1), production of modified polysaccharides including results on chemical and cytocompatibility studies (WP2), a validated tensile testing method for mechanical characterization of glue (WP3), selection of promising prototype formulation of the orthopaedic glue (WP4) and mechanical characterization of the prototype in a joint simulator (WP5). An illustration of an orthopaedic glue that can be injected with existing cartilage repair technologies is shown below.
