77588Manufacturing a spinal regenerative medicine in the East MidlandsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe UK has invested for many years in the science of regenerative medicine. This field is delivering on its promise to repair human tissues. Given the UK's strong position in the science that underpins this area we should also aim to develop a world-leading industry that exports regenerative medicines across the world. This project aims to demonstrate that the UK can lead in the manufacture of one class of these medicines, called regenerative matrices. These products are materials that are used by surgeons to regenerative tissue after implantation in patients. The manufacturing of these products shares some processes with those used for the pharmaceutical industry but there is a need for innovation. Locate Bio is focusing on developing regenerative matrices for the treatment of patients with lower back pain (LBP). LBP is the leading cause of disability in the UK and most countries in the world. A major cause of LBP is disc degenerative disease where the shock absorber made of cartilage between the bony vertebrae of the spine lose their structure. The surgical treatment of disc degenerative disease is very expensive and patients can encounter long-term side-effects. Locate Bio's first product lowers the cost and risk of these treatments. Most of the expertise for manufacturing of these products lies outside of the UK. Under this SMART Award, Locate Bio will develop the manufacturing processes for regenerative matrices to lay the foundations for product launches in China, USA, UK and the EU.