RACEHORSE AVOIDS DEATH THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY

A new bone repair technology, HydroxyColl, has saved the life of a young racehorse that would otherwise have been put down. The technology was developed by researchers at the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (Amber) a partnership comprising University College Cork, Trinity College and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The young horse called Annagh Haven had a cyst in its jaw, which prevented it from eating properly and could have led to the jaw breaking and causing further harm. In the past, the horse would probably have been euthanised, but with the aid of HydroxyColl its life was saved.

HydroxyColl is a biodegradable and biocompatible product that allows the regrowth of lost or damaged bone. Annagh Haven's surgery marked the first time the technology was used in a clinical setting. The treatment involved the removal of the cyst and then rebuilding the jaw using a 3D scaffold, that once implanted acts like a bone graft. The horse has since returned to the racehorse and has had some success to date. The announcement of Annagh Haven's successful rehabilitation came on Tuesday during an industry day to mark the centre's first year in operation. HydroxyColl is being marketed by SurgaColl Technologies, a spin out of the RCSI.

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