Researchers working with EPFL and the startup flowbone created an injectable hydrogel meant to strengthen fragile bone in specific high-risk areas, rather than relying only on whole-body osteoporosis drugs that can take many months to show strong effects.
The hydrogel is designed to mimic bone’s natural environment using hyaluronic acid and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (a mineral found in bone). This helps the injected material integrate locally where bone needs rapid reinforcement.
In lab testing using rats with bone loss, the hydrogel alone produced a local bone-density rise of about two to three times at the injection site, showing a fast densifying effect even without additional drugs mixed into the gel.
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The biggest gains appeared when researchers paired osteoporosis therapy with the hydrogel approach. In the strongest reported combination, rats received a systemic bone-building treatment (parathyroid hormone) along with hydrogel that included the anti-resorption drug zoledronate, leading to up to ~4.8-fold higher bone density at the injection site within about 2–4 weeks. That’s the basis for the widely shared “about five times” claim.
The potential goal is practical: deliver rapid, targeted strengthening in places most likely to fracture or fail, such as areas that may need extra support for implants or that are especially vulnerable in osteoporosis. The team has indicated they are working toward the regulatory steps needed for human clinical study
