Grant: Collaborative Health Research Projects

Intervertebral discs allow slight movement of the vertebrae and play an important role in*shock absorption in the spine but can be damaged with time. Disc degeneration is one of the*leading causes of low back pain, which affects a large proportion of the global population at a*huge socioeconomic burden. It is so common that approximately 1 in 50 Canadians become*disabled by back pain.*When drugs or physical therapy are not sufficient, surgery is the only offered option which*consists in the removal of the disc and/or its replacement by an implant. There is a clear need*for minimally invasive repair of the intervertebral disc to avoid surgical treatment and long*term complications which affect patients after simple removal of the disc.*The project aims to provide a minimally invasive treatment for damaged intervertebral discs*based on the use of a material which can be injected into the disk through a needle and*rapidly solidify. This material is combined with cells and bioactive products that can actively*promote the reparation of the tissue, in order to better restore its mechanical properties and*its normal composition. This injectable product should also have potential for the repair of*cartilage, which affects an even higher number of patients.*Two Canadians companies are strongly interested in this product. Therefore, in addition to the*improvement of the health of Canadians, this project will help reinforce the quite recent*Canadian industry in this strategic field