A cellularised, load bearing, resorbable BSM is unprecedented (Rose and Oreffo) and will provide entry to a market estimated at €2.5 billion. It will have particular application in impaction grafting – a technique used in the increasingly common joint replacement and revision procedures (arthroplasties) where currently either the patients own bone (autograft) or bone from bone banks (allograft) is the only current option and both of which have significant associated disadvantages.

The ‘SilkBone™’ BSM will also be particularly advantageous for the treatment of fractures resulting from osteoporosis and bone lesions in cancer patients. We believe it will alleviate suffering and incapacity in millions of patients and lead directly to great savings in time and cost for Health Services. It is also noted that tissue engineering, adult stem cell research and implantable biomaterials have been flagged as future growth markets, keenly pursued in the U.S. and Asia. Having developed and disseminated know-how in these areas the SilkBone Consortium has also increased E.U. competitiveness in these burgeoning sectors.