SITEC pharmabio is a partner in a European project to improve the treatment of bone fractures with advanced biomaterials
- HYDROHEAL will develop new biomaterials for the treatment of vertebral and alveolar (jaw) bone fractures
- These materials will help reduce the risks of infection and implant rejection, also reducing fracture recovery times
An international consortium led by the Technical University of Valencia (UPV) with SITEC pharmabio as a partner has launched HYDROHEAL, a European project whose objective is to transform the treatment of bone fractures, using new advanced and smart biomaterials. These materials will help reduce the risks of infection and implant rejection, also reducing fracture recovery times.
The project, funded by the European Commission with nearly €6.5 million, began last June and will last four years.
The project focuses on the development and application of new biomaterials in the treatment of vertebral and alveolar fractures (in the jaw, at the base of the teeth), especially in complex cases resulting from osteoporosis, cancer, or trauma.
"The main challenges we face are the formulation and manufacturing of materials, which include a complex variety of components and molecules that must maintain their properties and be released at the right time" notes Dr Piergiorgio Gentile, Distinguished Researcher at UPV and the project coordinator.
Microparticles within a hydrogel to regenerate bone
In collaboration with HYDROHEAL project team SITEC aims to develop microparticles that will allow the encapsulation and targeted delivery of several active pharmaceutical ingredients. The microparticles will be incorporated within bioresorbable and self-solidifying hydrogels. Their use would contribute to improving treatment efficacy, preventing bacterial infections, and speeding up recovery times.
Innovative Technology
The microparticles will be developed in HYDROHEAL with a fine-tuned “layer-by-layer” coating technology. This method, according to the project consortium, allows the addition of several layers that carry different active molecules each, facilitating their release and at the right time during treatment.
In addition, HYDROHEAL will integrate artificial intelligence and hybrid digital modelling tools to optimize the design and performance of these materials. “After an initial formulation phase, we will conduct in vitro and in vivo trials to validate efficacy and safety, before moving toward larger-scale sustainable production,” adds Gentile.
A multidisciplinary and European consortium
In partnership with SITEC pharmabio (Spain) and the coordination by the Technical University of Valencia (Spain), HYDROHEAL involves 13 partners from 8 European countries:
Newcastle University (United Kingdom), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Ireland), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain), University of Warwick (United Kingdom), Centre for Process Innovation – CPI (United Kingdom), SITEC pharmabio (Spain), Separeco (Italy), Vet Ex Machina LTD (Cyprus), FLUIDINOVA S.A. (Portugal), Asphalion S.A. (Spain) and ConsulTech GmbH (Germany).
Disclaimer:
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
