Excellent, reliable results with GranuMas
GranuMaS, a synthetic bone graft application using technology from Sirim Bhd, has been registered with the Medical Device Authority (MDA) under the Health Ministry and is certified Halal and safe to be used in orthopedic and dental procedures.
Made from Hydroxyapatite, the granular synthetic bone graft material has a similar chemical composition to human bone, making it an excellent option for the repair of bone defects.
The product has also been internationally recognised, receiving the CE Mark accreditation from the British Standard Institution (BSI), which allows it to be marketed in Europe. It has also been approved for use in Indonesia by the country’s health ministry.
GranuMaS entered the Malaysian market in 2010 under GranuLab (M) Sdn Bhd. It has been well received by the local market and is geared for widespread commercial is at ion.
Granulab (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Fazilah Fazan said GranuMaS uses pure chemicals and local limestone for calcium and phosphate sources.
The product was the outcome of
the collaboration between Sirim, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the International Islamic University and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency in 2003.
Dr Fazilah said the material used in GranuMaS was biocompatible and was easily accepted by the human body; since its properties were similar to human bone, as it rapidly formed new bone when implanted in the body.
The benefits of the products are its ample availability, no risk of transmission of diseases from human bone donors; no immune rejection problems and no religious (Halal) or ethical issues.
“Bones consist of calcium and phosphate. GranuMaS, which is a synthetic material similar to human bone, is easily accepted by the body as part of human bone.
“Other synthetic bone materials do not possess similar composition, but are made of chemical compounds, which can bring about an immune reaction to some.”
Dr Fazilah said the product has also received the Halal certification, which was a milestone as this would allay fears on the use of synthetic
bone graft material made from animal products of bovine (cow) and porcine (pig) origin. This means the product will be readily accepted in the global market.
“In the medical field, what is common is the use of bone grafts taken from another part of the patient’s body to replace the affected bone, and sometimes surgeons also select grafts of animal origin or bone from organ donation,” said Dr Fazilah.
“The best option is a bone graft from the patient’s own bone. However, this will require the need for surgery at two locations on the patient’s body; at the point of injury and at the point where the bone is being harvested.
“Two surgeries can increase the overall cost of the procedure as well as the risk of complications, infection and morbidity.”
Using material of animal origin or from organ donation can also be a problem for some as it may cause transmission of diseases, immune rejection, ethical and religious concerns.
“This is why a better option would be to use a synthetic bone material which is similar to human bone,”
she said.
Dr Firdaus Hanapiah from Modena Dental Clinic said GranuMas helped to form and set the jaw to allow for faster, stronger and more beautiful construction of teeth.
“I have been using this product for the past seven years and I have conducted
many successful surgeries using GranuMas. Apart from being a Halal bone graft, it is a trustworthy product, which gives excellent and safe results,” he said.
GranuMaS is used at government hospitals in orthopedic and dental surgeries.