Why Our Work Matters
Pathological fractures of the axial skeleton and limbs are already challenging and represent a significant, unmet clinical need – a problem that is accelerating as populations age. While primary osteoporosis is well known, secondary osteoporosis now emerges a decade or two earlier in people living with conditions such as Type II diabetes or HIV, and it affects men as well as women. Existing tools such as DEXA poorly predict fracture risk in these patients.
The Current Care Gap
1. Inadequate Risk Prediction
Models such as FRAX do not give bone-specific, actionable data, for secondary osteoporosis.
2. Urgent, Invasive Interventions
Once a fracture occurs, patients often need major surgery, prolonged hospital stays and face a high rate of complications, including re-fracture.
3. Limited Device Innovation
Smart coatings that release drugs, resist infection and personalise fixation have been long proposed, yet translation to clinic remains rare due to unsuitable material vectors and unreliable coating performance.