Stem cell storage specialist WideCells Group PLC (LON:WIDE) is to launch a new synthetic bone graft in the UK that will be used initially in tooth fillings.
Widecells will start selling INDUS in Britain in the coming months, at first targeting dentists though it believes there is the potential for it to be used in a variety of bone grafts especially in combination with stem cells.
INDUS’s developer, Medical Devices Lda or Medbone, has just received its European CE mark for the product, which means it can be sold across Europe.
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Two products will be sold at first: INDUS TCP and INDUS BCP, which are designed to fill bone voids and defects.
João Andrade, Widecells chief executive, said: "At WideCells our vision is to provide regenerative therapy that promotes the next stages of medical development. We have had great success to date in making stem cell treatments more accessible and affordable globally and whilst this remains our primary focus, having recognised significant, complementary growth opportunities within the dental industry.
Widcells already has a dental expert on its board: Dr. Marilyn Orcharton, a qualified dentist who has received a medal of Honour from the British Dental Association and co-founded Denplan Limited, the UK's market leader in dental insurance.
Peter Hollands, Widecells chief scientific officer, added: "INDUS is the next generation in bone material; it is the most advanced regenerative synthetic bone material in the market and has already been clinically proven to offer a number of advantages compared to current bone graft products being used. Furthermore, with the potential for stem cell technologies to advance this product further."