[Edaily Reporter SONG YOUNG-DOO ] NIBEC CO., LTD.(138610)has confirmed the potential for integrated regeneration of alveolar bone and tooth-supporting tissues by combining growth factors with its proprietary collagen material. These findings, derived from preclinical studies on Beagles, are drawing attention for their potential to enhance the functionality of existing dental materials for human and animal use.
NIBEC CO., LTD. announced on the 21st that the results of a study conducted in collaboration with the Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Chungbuk National University, and PharmCAD were published in the international academic journal *Biomaterials*.
The research team loaded BMP9, a growth factor involved in bone formation and tissue regeneration, onto NIBEC CO., LTD.’s collagen material “Regenomer” and delivered it to the damaged site. When applied to a periodontal defect model in beagles, the team observed the formation of new alveolar bone—the bone supporting the gums—and dentin, which covers the surface of the tooth roots. They also confirmed that the fibers of the periodontal ligament, which connects the tooth to the bone, were attaching to the newly formed tissue.
A key feature of this study is that it examined not only bone formation but also the potential for regeneration of various tissues that support the teeth. However, as these results are from animal experiments, therapeutic efficacy in humans has not yet been confirmed.
The researchers also analyzed differences compared to BMP2, a growth factor widely used in previous bone regeneration studies. While BMP2 promotes bone formation, its effectiveness can be limited when influenced by “Noggin,” a protein that inhibits osteogenic signaling.
In contrast, BMP9 was relatively less affected by Noggin-mediated signal inhibition in this experiment. The study also noted that BMP9 promotes the differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells into cells that form bone and dentin, and helps mitigate excessive cell death caused by cellular stress.
The research team also compared collagen processing methods suitable for growth factor delivery. The results showed that collagen sponges produced using the dehydration-thermal crosslinking (DHT) method exhibited structural characteristics favorable for growth factor loading. By combining BMP9 with this material and applying it to periodontal defects in beagles, the team confirmed the patterns of tissue regeneration.
NIBEC CO., LTD. views this research as evidence for expanding the scope of application for existing collagen-based regenerative materials. The company plans to further develop these materials by adding growth factor delivery capabilities to those that support tissue regeneration, thereby inducing cellular responses and tissue formation at injury sites.
The company currently supplies dental bone grafts for human use and collagen-based regenerative materials. It also operates businesses involving the absorbable barrier membrane “PETGIDE” and the bone graft “PETGAIN” for animals, and plans to explore ways to utilize these findings to advance the technology in both business areas.
A NIBEC CO., LTD. official stated, “By combining growth factor delivery capabilities with our collagen material, we have confirmed the potential for integrated regeneration not only of the alveolar bone but also of the key tissues supporting the teeth. We have laid the groundwork for expanding our existing regenerative material technology into the field of high-performance tissue regeneration.” The official added, “We plan to explore ways to utilize these research findings to strengthen the competitiveness of our existing businesses and develop next-generation materials.”
