720699"Nucleus Pulposus Augmentation" transforming treatment of chronic lower back painClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKChronic lower back pain (CLBP) will affect half of the EU population at some time in their lives. CLBP affects 2.5m UK patients at any time; direct medical costs per patient are £1,074pa. Time off costs £2,276 p/p pa. Total impact including benefit/insurance is £12bn+. CLBP's most common cause is degeneration in the patient’s intervertebral disc (IVD). A gap exists in the continuum of care for these patients between conservative (physiotherapy, painkillers) and aggressive treatments (surgery; fusion, disc replacement). Gelexir Healthcare Limited aim to address this gap with a novel Double Cross-linked Microgel (DXM) that swells upon injection into the patient’s degenerating IVD to augment its mechanical and biological functions, and critically, relieve pain. The gel will be administered via a simple injection in an outpatient setting with minimal anaesthesia. This project will result in a CE marked medical device. Outcomes could see DXM applied to 20% of patients saving the UK (alone) £2.5bn pa.