Feasibility testing of bouncy bioglass osteochondral implants in pilot in vitro and in vivo studies

Recipient organisation

BOUNCE BIOMEDICAL LIMITED

Project reference

10187098

Funder

Innovate UK

Programme

National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility Studies

Award value

£99,947

Project dates

1 May 2026 – 31 Jan 2027

Imported sector

Advanced Manufacturing Lvl3

Postcode area

OX (OX14 4RQ)

Project status

Live

Source data quality

Description present in snapshot

Official project description

Our project aims to create a new type of medical implant that can help people with serious damage to the cartilage and bone in their knee. These injuries often lead to arthritis, pain, difficulty walking, and eventually major surgery such as a total knee replacement. Many people - especially younger adults - have few good treatment options today. Current methods often do not repair the damage well, require long recovery times, or are too expensive for routine use. Bounce-Biomedical is developing a new implant made from a material called Bouncy-Bioglass, which is strong enough to support weight and movement but is also designed to slowly disappear as the body heals. As it dissolves, it encourages the body to grow new, healthy cartilage and bone in the damaged area. The goal is to help patients recover more quickly, avoid or delay major surgery such as total knee replacement, and return to normal activities, like work and exercising, sooner. In this project, the team will design and make improved versions of the Bouncy-Bioglass implants and test them in safe and controlled laboratory studies. This testing is essential before any clinical trial in humans can take place. Collaborators at Imperial College London and expert subcontractors will help carry out the laboratory assessments, while experts in surgery, materials science, and medical regulation will guide the design of the Bouncy-Bioglass implants to make sure they meets standards required for the project and for future clinical trials in humans after the project has finished. The project is supported by JRI Orthopaedics, a UK company that makes medical implants used in hospitals across the country. They will advise on how the new implant could be manufactured at scale and used by surgeons in real operations. Their involvement shows that the technology has a clear future route into the healthcare system. By the end of the project, the team expects to have an implant design that: 1. Surgeons, scientists, manufacturers and medical regulation experts believe has a good chance of working in humans 2. Works safely in tests, and 3. Has a clear plan for progressing to human trials. If successful, this new technology could reduce the need for knee replacements, cut NHS waiting lists, and help people stay active and independent for longer. Because the materials used are fully biodegradable and the manufacturing process produces very little waste, the technology may also help reduce the environmental impact of orthopaedic surgery.