Novel Method for Regenerating Bone Tissue
Tech ID: 22417 / UC Case 2012-114-0
Background
Problems related to bone loss are of the major causes of disability in rapidly growing elderly populations both in the United States and worldwide. Bone grafting is a common orthopedic surgery procedure for replacing tissue lost to injury or disease. It is also often used in spine surgeries to stimulate fusion. To restore bone, surgeons use autografts, bone tissue transplants from the patient's body to the damaged site. This approach has multiple disadvantages, including donor site morbidity and limited supply. Transplants from other patients are alternatives with significant limitations including risk of infection or immune rejection. Despite a recent research focus on bone tissue engineering, currently available methods are inadequate. Most bones formation occurs by the process of endochondral ossification, which has not been reproduced with human cell sources in the clinic to date. Hence, there is an urgent need for identification of novel ways to generate bone tissue in the clinic.Technology Description
UCSF investigators have discovered a novel method to generate, repair, or stimulate formation of bone tissue. Using this innovative multi-step approach, they were able to produce a bone precursor, hypertrophic cartilage, in vitro and to demonstrate robust bone formation in vivo following implantation in mice. Validation plans for this methodology in patients are currently underway.Applications
- Source of bone tissue for bone grafts in patients with injury and disease
- Source of bone tissue for spinal fusion
- Source of bone tissue for dental bone grafts
Advantages
- Allows for generation of hypertrophic cartilage, which can stimulate blood vessel formation required for bone generation
- Simple, well-controlled in-vitro procedure
- Large market: the global market for bone tissue regeneration is over 32 billion dollars per year
Other Information
Partnership Opportunities
This technology is available for licensing. Investigators welcome the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners.
Inventor Information
Alfred Kuo, MD, PhD
Alfred Kuo graduated from the University of Califonia, Berkeley with a degree in biochemistry, and then went on to receive a PhD in biochemistry and his medical degree at UCSF as part of the Medical Scientist Training Program. He was a resident in orthopaedic surgery and a research fellow at the University of California, Davis before completing a fellowship in lower extremity reconstruction at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego. He performs total joint replacements and research in biomaterial and cell-based approaches for tissue regeneration. Kuo has published papers in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, the Journal of Arthroplasty, the Journal of Cell Biology, and the Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
Patent Status
Patent Pending
Contact
Todd M. Pazdera / todd.pazdera@ucsf.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #22417.
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