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New collaboration to develop orthopaedic adult stem cell therapies
12 Oct 2007 -
Scientists at the Smith & Nephew Research Centre in York (UK) are launching a collaboration to develop groundbreaking new treatments for bone and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Working in partnership with the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at the National University of Ireland Galway, the Research Centre is developing new therapies using adult bone marrow stem cells to promote the re-growth of healthy cartilage and repair damaged joints. The EUR 6 million ($8.5 million) project is backed by the IDA Ireland, and is being launched in Galway by Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin.
The Smith & Nephew Research Centre has already developed early prototype cell technologies, including the ability to grow human cartilage from adult stem cells. The collaboration with REMEDI, who have extensive expertise in osteoarthritis cartilage repair, shall speed up the process of producing viable new orthopaedic therapies.
The four-year project will be led by James Huckle, Programme Manager for Enabling Technologies at the Smith & Nephew Research Centre, and Professor Frank Barry, Scientific Director of REMEDI an expert in adult stem cell engineering.
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