In Slovakia, scientists from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVLF) and the Institute of Materials Research of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) developed a new biomaterial that can replace damaged cartilage or bone. The material can help patients that are missing bone or that have traumatic damage of articular cartilage.
“It’s a non-toxic composite biomaterial based on Chitosan,” Medvecký said, as quoted by SITA. “It is important that non-toxic organic dissolving agents are used in its preparation and that it is possible to sterilise in standard way.” Since the chitosan-based biomaterial is still patent pending, scientists did not reveal the exact composition yet. Testing on animals and then human clinical studies will be the next steps.