An invention developed by a researcher from The University of Western Australia that can speed up the regeneration of bone and tissue in patients after dental procedures will soon be rolled out to dental patients across the United States.
The intervention, named Striate+, is an artificial structure that can be implanted in the body for tissue to grow on to repair damage. It has been commercialised by Orthocell – a Perth-based regenerative medical company that develops products for the repair of soft tissue injuries.
Striate+ can be used in procedures such as dental bone defect repair and tissue augmentation around dental implants.
Striate+ was invented by Professor MingHao Zheng, UWA Professor of Orthopaedic Research and head of Brain and Bone Axis Research at the Perron Institute. He said Striate+ started off for use in repairing tendons and took him on an incredible journey involving repairing nerves and now dental problems.
"It was 2007 when we applied for some Pathfinder funding to test Striate+ and 2008 when we worked with UWA's technology transfer office to file the patent application and partner with Orthocell," Professor Zheng said.
"It has taken a lot of time and money and I can't thank Orthocell enough for supporting my research, providing my many students with translational research projects, and of course undertaking the clinical trials that have resulted in the Food and Drug Administration approval."
Clinical studies have shown using Striate+ supports the transition from two-stage to single-stage dental procedures, reducing procedure times by several months.
Striate+ is of significant interest to patients and clinicians because of potential improvements in efficiency of dental procedures.
Simon Handford, UWA's Manager Research Commercialisation, said he was delighted to see another innovation from UWA receive Food and Drug Administration approval.
"It just goes to show that partnering clever ideas with capable commercialisation partners really can put our research to use for the benefit of patients and clinicians," he said.
UWA researchers can apply for Pathfinder proof-of-concept funding at www.rdi.uwa.edu.au/research-innovation/pathfinder-fund
