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 in**shock absorption in the spine but can be damaged with time. Disc degeneration is one of the**leading causes of low back pain, which affects a large proportion of the global population at a**huge socioeconomic burden. It is so common that approximately 1 in 50 Canadians become**disabled by back pain.**When drugs or physical therapy are not sufficient, surgery is the only offered option which**consists in the removal of the disc and/or its replacement by an implant. There is a clear need**for minimally invasive repair of the intervertebral disc to avoid surgical treatment and long**term complications which affect patients after simple removal of the disc.**The project aims to provide a minimally invasive treatment for damaged intervertebral discs**based on the use of a material which can be injected into the disk through a needle and**rapidly solidify. This material is combined with cells and bioactive products that can actively**promote the reparation of the tissue, in order to better restore its mechanical properties and**its normal composition. This injectable product should also have potential for the repair of**cartilage, which affects an even higher number of patients.**Two Canadians companies are strongly interested in this product. Therefore, in addition to the**improvement of the health of Canadians, this project will help reinforce the quite recent**Canadian industry in this strategic field