Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre is holding day conference on the 11th of March focusing on ‘Osteoarthritis: an Unmet Need’ in collaboration with MediWales and South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership. The aim is to describe the unmet needs in Osteoarthritis from a clinical and research perspective and develop translational/commercial themes in this area. The plenary speaker is Prof David Felson (Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, University of Manchester;  Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine). Attendees will include researchers, clinicians and potential commercial partners.

We are looking for industry partners and research opportunities in the following areas:

• Drugs for prevention/treatment of OA pain, inflammation and degeneration (e.g. glutamate receptor antagonists, Epilupeol, protein kinase R)
• Drug delivery systems relevant to bone and joint
• Antimicrobial cements
• Biomarker assays (based on microparticles, neoepitopes, enzyme assays, NMR spectroscopy)
• Activity monitoring devices or sensors to inform on patient function and rehabilitation interventions
• 3D model of bone where cells are embedded in collagen and mechanical loading applied to screen for drugs/nutraceuticals important in arthritis or osteoporosis – relevant to collagen/matrix distributors, in vitro suppliers, pharmaceutical/nutraceutical
• Classification tools that could be adapted by web interface for academic or clinical use

Draft Programme

9.30 – Registration and refreshments
10.00 – Professor David Felson – Boston University
Pain and better understanding of biomechanics
10.45 – Mr Chris Wilson – Cardiff & Vale Orthopaedic Centre
Clinical dilemmas in OA and unmet needs
11.15 – 11.45 – Coffee and refreshments

Functional Biomechanics
11.45 – Dr Liba Sheeran – Cardiff University, SOHCS
Physio in the Pocket(TM) Wearable sensor technology for personalised treatments in back pain
12.00 – Paul Biggs – Cardiff University, ENGIN
Predicting functional outcomes following total knee replacement surgery
12.15 – Professor Cathy Holt – Cardiff University, ENGIN
Linking biomechanics to biology in HTO patients
12.30 – Nidal Khatib – Cardiff University, ENGIN/BIOSI
Functional & Biological Assessment of Materials for the Treatment of Focal Cartilage Defects
12.45-13.45 – Lunch

Models and Drugs
13.45 – Dr Bronwen Evans – Cardiff University, MEDIC
Bone Models
14.00 – Dr Sophie Gilbert – Cardiff University, BIOSI
A Model of Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis for the development of new treatments
14.15 – Dr Emma Blain – Cardiff University, BIOSI
Efficacy of Boswellia frereana (Somalian Frankincense) as a potential disease-modifying drug for Osteoarthritis
14.30 – Dr Cleo Bonnet & Dr Debbie Mason – Cardiff University, BIOSI
14.45 – Gwyn Tudor – MediWales
Engaging with the Life Science community
15.00-15.30 – Tea and coffee

Materials, Models and Biomarkers
15.30 – Dr Wayne Ayre – Cardiff University, DENTL
A novel liposomal drug delivery system for PMMA bone cement
15.45 – Andrew Spragg – Jellagen
Jellyfish collagen biomaterials – From the seabed to the sickbed
16.00 – Dr Andreas Papageorgiou – Cardiff University, PHYSICS
Using NMR to detect human synovial fluid biomarkers
16.15 – Simon Haslam/Tim Hewson – Abel & Imray
Patent Pitfall and Possibilities
17.00 – Evening Drinks

The event is free to all. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities from £250 +VAT. If you would like to exhibit please get in touch with Becky Murphy.

Location: Room C-1.04, Sir Martin Evans Building.