Novel Antimicrobial Nanocomposite Bone Graft Material

Open fractures account for approximately 20% of all combat-related injuries. The long time between injury and treatment caused by delayed evacuation has resulted in higher infection and morbidity rates relative to similar civilian injuries. The current standard of care for open fractures involves irrigation, debridement, initial stabilization, and antibiotic therapy. In order to provide local antibiotic therapy and fill dead space, antibiotics are often combined with poly(methylmethacrylate), rolled into beads, and placed in the bone defect. This approach necessitates numerous subsequent surgical procedures to remove the beads and graft bone, thereby increasing morbidity and cost. To address this critical need, Luna Innovations proposes to develop a novel load-bearing, but resorbable, antimicrobial bone graft material. The material will be a nanocomposite consisting of biopolymer and mineral components and will incorporate a novel biocidal compound that has exhibited efficacy against both gram positive and gram negative organisms. It will derive its initial mechanical strength from a nanostructure that mimics that of bone and will promote fracture repair as it is resorbed by osteoclasts. Luna has assembled the highly qualified, multidisciplinary team required for a successful program and has a history of bringing novel research from the laboratory to commercial markets.