ASDM licenses synthetic bone substitute from Sydney University

Advanced Surgical Design and Manufacture (ASDM) has signed a global licence agreement with the University of Sydney relating to a composite biocompatible ceramic material.

Known as Sr-HT-Gahnite, the innovative synthetic bone substitute is set to be commercialised in veterinary and orthopaedic applications, based on the technology developed by the university.

The material is considered to be a novel breakthrough technology with huge global potential, an important area of focus given ASDM's wider strategy of developing a portfolio of products in the field of orthopaedics.

In preliminary studies, Sr-HT-Gahnite has been shown to duplicate the mechanical strength, elasticity and bioactivity of bone, as well as being 100 times mechanically stronger than synthetic bone substitute materials that are currently in clinical use.

ASDM chief executive officer Tom Milicevic said: "Existing synthetic bone substitute materials are unable to be used to treat bone loss in load-bearing applications. Consequently, bone autograft and allografts and/or metal implants are required."

The company was founded in 1994 and is based in Australia, with its business reach extending to numerous territories worldwide, including the US and Europe.