Late stage development & clinical evaluation of FibroFix Cartilage: A Mechanically Functional, Tissue Regenerative, Knee Cartilage Repair Implant

A silk-based implant is being developed to repair damaged knee cartilage and prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. Cartilage injuries are common, particularly in active adults, and the tissue has a very limited ability to heal itself. Current treatments, such as microfracture or cell transplants, work poorly for large defects and often fail to restore a smooth, load-bearing surface. This project addresses that gap by engineering an implant that mimics cartilage’s strength and resilience while actively stimulating new tissue growth. The implant, called FibroFix Cartilage, is made from fibroin—a protein extracted from silk fibres. This material is strong, smooth, and durable, allowing the implant to bear weight immediately after surgery. If successful, the device could treat large cartilage injuries even when osteoarthritis is already present, potentially delaying or avoiding the need for a total knee replacement. The project will finalise the implant’s design, complete safety and efficacy testing in animal and laboratory models, and then evaluate its performance in a clinical trial.