A world first in orthopaedic surgery
A world first has just been achieved in the field of orthopaedic surgery at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc. Thanks to the three-dimensional cell therapy developed by Novadip Biosciences, a spin-off of UCLouvain, a young patient's tibia bone has received a new type of 18 cm³ bone graft.
A 5-year-old boy with a rare disease that prevented his fractured tibia from healing seemed doomed to have his leg amputated. However, he can now walk normally thanks to a world first in bone reconstruction carried out by the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (UCLouvain).
In practical terms, the young child was able to receive a 3D tissue implant of more than 18 cm³ in the non-healing fracture. This plasticine-like graft was produced by Novadip Biosciences, a spin-off of UCLouvain.
As explained by Dr Denis Dufrane, CEO of the spin-off, "Novadip Biosciences is developing a unique technology where stem cells taken from adipose tissue are stimulated in vitro to create a three-dimensional structure in which they integrate and produce a regenerative environment."
Professor Pierre-Louis Docquier, the orthopaedic surgeon who treated the child, is enthusiastic about the outcome of this world first, "It is very encouraging to see the impact this innovative regenerative therapy has had on this young patient and the potential it has to provide a new treatment option."
It is a great hope for bone reconstruction.