Sticks and Stones...
An injectable drug could help heal broken bones faster
Novosteo, a spinout from Purdue University, has developed a targeted drug combination, NOV004, which reportedly helps accelerate the repair of bone fractures and strengthen weakened bones. When injected, the anabolic agents selectively accumulate on bone fracture surfaces where they promote rapid healing. The research team also believes that the localization of the bone-building drug combination at fracture sites will reduce the collateral toxicity that would occur if the agents were to circulate throughout the body.
The company initially intends to focus its use of the product on hip fractures in the elderly, as one in three adults over the age of 60 die within a year of suffering from this type of fracture (1). But Novosteo also has plans to explore the future use of the injectable-targeted drug for other applications, including dental implants as well as head and facial fractures.
- Purdue University, “Injectable drug for faster healing of bone fractures prepares for clinical trials” (2020). Available at: http://bit.ly/2xaRFUk.
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