LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DHA17-009

Description

Current strategies for the treatment of osteochondral injuries are ineffective and are associated with significant side effects. Microfracture techniques have demonstrated limited efficacy over long periods of time and are less effective for larger osteochondral defects. Osteochondral autograft transplants require harvesting from a donor site, which can lead to donor site morbidity. And while autologous chondrocyte transplantation procedures have proven promising, they require multiple surgical procedures and are associated with significant financial and regulatory hurdles for adoption in the clinic. Therefore, Luna is proposing the development of a synthetic hydrogel capable of filling osteochondral defects and stimulating natural regeneration. The proposed product will enable the formation of a customized solution for each patient specific to their injury, and will be capable of stimulating localized deposition of both chondrous and osseous tissue.