The regenerative therapy could offer an alternative to pain management or joint replacement if successful in humans. The project has secured further federal funding to advance development toward future clinical testing.

The treatment uses a slow-release delivery system to stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms rather than simply easing symptoms. Researchers are also developing a biomaterial repair kit to restore damaged cartilage. While the results are currently limited to animal studies, scientists hope the approach could eventually provide an affordable, minimally invasive treatment for osteoarthritis.