Improving healing of delayed fractures using a new bone growth agent
Official title: Effective local delivery of bone anabolic agent to accelerate the healing of delayed fracture union
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11010026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new gel treatment that helps broken bones heal faster, especially for people who have trouble with healing due to certain health issues or medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | January 20, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $427,763 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082148-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with delayed fracture healing, particularly those with risk factors such as diabetes or those who have been treated with glucocorticoids.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fractures that are healing normally or those who do not have any underlying health conditions affecting healing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the healing process of fractures that are slow to heal or do not heal properly, which affects many individuals, especially those with certain health conditions or who use specific medications. The approach involves a novel polymeric prodrug that delivers a bone anabolic agent directly to the fracture site, promoting faster healing. Patients will receive this treatment in a form that becomes a gel at body temperature, allowing for localized and effective delivery of the healing agent. The study aims to address a significant gap in current treatment options for delayed fracture healing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce healing time for patients with delayed fractures, improving their mobility and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using localized delivery systems for bone healing, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Dong — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Dong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adenosine-based help to speed up bone fracture healing in older adults
A biomaterial-based approach delivers adenosine locally to fractures to speed healing in aging bones.
-
Role of Schwann Cell Precursors in Fracture Healing
This NIH grant explores how a specific nerve-support cell type called Schwann cell precursors may influence bone healing and pain after fractures, using mouse models to map how these cells behave during healing.
-
Longitudinal imaging to predict bone fracture healing using light-based tech
Aims to use safe light-based imaging over time to see how healing bones in people with fractures progress and whether early signals predict problems.
-
Rejuvenating B cells to help older people heal broken bones
Aims to boost aged B cells to improve how bone heals after fractures in older patients.
-
Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
A study tests whether intermittent fasting can improve bone healing in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by changing the gut microbiome.
-
Next-Generation MRI to Predict Bone Healing Using Virtual Testing
A new MRI-based method uses advanced imaging and computer models to predict how well broken bones are healing, starting with shinbone (tibial) fractures.
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.