Novadip Biosciences, spin-off of UCLouvain and Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (UCLouvain) have achieved a world first in bone reconstruction. Very promising results for the treatment of rare pediatric orthopedic disorders.
The story? M, a 5-year-old boy, has congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, a rare and debilitating disease where a fracture of the tibia does not heal. The child is supported by the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc and benefits from an innovative technology of the spin-off UCLouvain Novadip: a 3D tissue implant of more than 18 cm³. The graft, which could be compared to a kind of plasticine, is directly implanted in the nonhealing fracture. One year after implantation, the results show sufficient bone remodelling to allow the patient to walk without pain and without apparent recurrence of the disease. Today, 2 years later, the little guy is walking normally, the operation is a success and it’s a world first!
This feat is the result of a three-dimensional cell therapy developed by Novadip, at the forefront of research in the field of tissue regeneration. The objective of the UCLouvain spin-off? Find new solutions for bone tissue reconstruction in patients for whom treatment is not available. Scientists are focusing on healing damaged tissues by restoring their natural physiology.
“Novadip Biosciences is developing a unique technology in the world where stem cells from adipose tissue are stimulated in vitro to create a three-dimensional structure in which they integrate and produce a regenerative environment.” explains Dr. Denis Dufrane, CEO and co-founder of Novadip Biosciences. "At the request of Professor Pierre-Louis Docquier of the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, we manufactured this implant with particular characteristics that are opposed to the causes of this child’s disease and simultaneously, which allowed the regeneration of the volume of lost bone. This success determines us to continue the development of this advanced cell therapy drug, to make it available to other patients in comparable situations.”
“Critical size, non-healing bone defects are some of the most difficult conditions to treat in orthopedic surgery and sometimes leave doctors no alternative to amputation” says Professor Pierre-Louis Docquier, orthopedic surgeon who treated the child at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc. "It is very encouraging to see the impact of this innovative regenerative therapy on this young patient and the potential it has to provide a new treatment option.”
“The interaction between clinicians and scientists is essential for the development of therapeutic solutions in critical clinical situations” says Dufrane. "These results are very stimulating for Novadip. We look forward to advancing our clinical studies to generate additional solutions to improve the quality of life of patients.”
Press contact :
Denis Dufrane, creator of the spin-off UCLouvain Novadip: 0477 42 00 34
Pierre-Louis Docquier, Orthopedic surgeon at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (UCLouvain) : 02/764 11 45 (Service communication)