Injectable bioactive hydrogel for the regeneration of intervertebral disc

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Intervertebral discs allow slight movement of the vertebrae and play an important role inshock absorption in the spine but can be damaged with time. Disc degeneration is one of theleading causes of low back pain, which affects a large proportion of the global population at ahuge socioeconomic burden. It is so common that approximately 1 in 50 Canadians becomedisabled by back pain.When drugs or physical therapy are not sufficient, surgery is the only offered option whichconsists in the removal of the disc and/or its replacement by an implant. There is a clear needfor minimally invasive repair of the intervertebral disc to avoid surgical treatment and longterm complications which affect patients after simple removal of the disc.The project aims to provide a minimally invasive treatment for damaged intervertebral discsbased on the use of a material which can be injected into the disk through a needle andrapidly solidify. This material is combined with cells and bioactive products that can activelypromote the reparation of the tissue, in order to better restore its mechanical properties andits normal composition. This injectable product should also have potential for the repair ofcartilage, which affects an even higher number of patients.Two Canadians companies are strongly interested in this product. Therefore, in addition to theimprovement of the health of Canadians, this project will help reinforce the quite recentCanadian industry in this strategic field