An EPSRC Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) grant has been awarded to a feasibility study involving Neotherix and the University of Manchester. The £8.3m KTA grant, awarded to the University by the EPSRC in 2009, is focused on increasing the impact, uptake and exploitation of research investments made by EPSRC. This three month project, lead by Professor Sandra Downes of the School of Materials at the University of Manchester, will explore the possibility of developing a range of phosphonic acid-based biopolymers for use in dental applications. It follows on from a successful BBSRC-funded project which developed the novel phosphonic acid-containing biomaterials and demonstrated their osteoconductive properties. Two patent applications on the technology have already been published, and another filed. The new project is complimentary to Neotherix' existing interests in the use of tissue regenerative scaffolds for oral surgery and other dental applications such as implantology (PhotoTherix™ and OraTherix™ projects). It will establish how novel osteoconductive biopolymers can be used to treat the loss of bone associated with advanced periodontal disease, by fabricating novel regenerative scaffolds containing the phosphonic acid-based biomaterials. There is a significant unmet clinical need for materials that can assist in the regeneration of alveolar bone which has been lost due to periodontal disease. Also involved in the project is Professor David Watts of the Dental School at the University of Manchester, an expert on dental biomaterials with experience in translation of basic research into clinical applications. Link to the web pages for the School of Materials, University of Manchester  , the School of Dentistry, University of Manchester and the University of Manchester KTA . |
