Developing a liquid cartilage filler for knee repair
Official title: Liquid cartilage for arthroscopy
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10876468 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new liquid cartilage filler called chondrogel to see if it can help heal knee injuries by filling in damaged areas, and it's designed for people who have cartilage problems in their knees.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $157,659 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR082596-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876468 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from gouge or focal cartilage defects in the knee.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced osteoarthritis or those who do not have cartilage defects may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a liquid cartilage filler known as chondrogel, which aims to repair gouge and focal defects in the knee through arthroscopic techniques. The chondrogel is made from allogeneic rib chondrocytes that can form strong neocartilage similar to natural articular cartilage. The project involves testing the effectiveness of chondrogel in filling different types of cartilage defects in a controlled environment and in live minipig models. The goal is to enhance the healing process of knee cartilage injuries, potentially improving outcomes for patients with such conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for patients with knee cartilage defects, leading to improved joint function and reduced pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches for cartilage repair, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Athanasiou, Kyriacos a — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Athanasiou, Kyriacos a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.