The UK based company Ceram has reported the development of a new range of hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterials, aimed at the field of medical implants. The basic chemical structure of the new biomaterials was changed by substituting different elements into HA whilst retaining its valuable physical structure.
Although Hydroxyapatite has been widely used in the medical sector, it has had limited applications because of its fixed chemistry. Ceram’s newly-patented technology has allowed different species, such as zinc and sulphate, to be substituted in conjunction into the HA crystal. This technology offers numerous possibilities; from the development of coatings which are both antimicrobial and osteo-promotive, to bone cements that can have both a heightened bioactivity and modified structural characteristics (be that toughness, solubility, porosity, or surface charge).
Ceram has filed for IP and is currently looking for biologics, medical device, and dental manufacturers to work with to develop HA-based materials for bespoke applications. The company has also announced that it would welcome additional collaboration with research institutes and academia to explore the new series of HA-based materials for new applications beyond the scope of biomedicine.
For further information on Ceram’s new HAs, please click here.
