Using a painless nerve growth factor to speed up bone healing
Official title: Therapeutic Application of Painless Nerve Growth Factor to Accelerate Endochondral Fracture Repair
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11162999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use injection that helps broken bones heal faster by delivering a special growth factor right where it's needed, making it a great option for people with conditions like diabetes or obesity that can slow down healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $612,051 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AR077761-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with fractures that are healing slowly or not at all, particularly those with additional health complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fractures that are healing normally or those who do not have any complications affecting healing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new injectable treatment that uses a painless form of nerve growth factor to help heal fractures more quickly. The approach involves creating a biodegradable delivery system that releases this growth factor directly at the fracture site, which could be particularly beneficial for patients who experience delayed healing. The study aims to validate this method in clinical settings, especially for those with conditions that complicate healing, such as diabetes or obesity. By avoiding surgical interventions, this treatment could provide a less invasive option for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce healing times for fractures, improving recovery outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using nerve growth factors for bone healing, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bahney, Chelsea Shields — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bahney, Chelsea Shields
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Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
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Next-Generation MRI to Predict Bone Healing Using Virtual Testing
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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.