GranuLab makes waves in healthcare industry
ABONE graft is a surgical procedure involving a bone tissue transplant to fix bone defects. The bone graft provides a scaffold for new bone growth and is typically obtained from another part of the patient’s body or a donor.
GranuLab (M) Sdn Bhd (GranuLab), a subsidiary of SIRIM, offers an unparalleled alternative with its 100 per cent synthetic GranuMaS® and Synthetic Bone Construct (SBC) bone graft product lines that are making waves in the medical industry.
GranuMaS® is a synthetic calcium phosphate, non-animal bioceramic-based bone graft material which is chemically known as hydroxyapatite (HA). Its composition that is 99 per cent similar to that of the human bone mineral and is widely used in the country’s hospitals for orthopaedic dental and maxillofacial applications. It comes in spherical, cube, pin and chip formats.
SBC, on the other hand, is comprised of a combination of Tricalcium phosphate and Tetra-calcium phosphate materials called Osteopaste™. The SBC can be shaped into solids of various shapes and sizes and, hence, can be custom-made based on surgeons’ requirements for specific applications. It is usually used to treat segmental bone defects or injuries due to trauma, non-union cases or diseased bones.
As the first and only manufacturer of 100 per cent synthetic bone graft materials in the world, GranuLab has a significant competitive edge in terms of its product offerings.
For one, as the materials are not derived from animal parts, they are a plausible option for patients with religious concerns, said GranuLab marketing manager Faizura Mohd
Nor Arjamli.
“Compared to other bone graft materials that include porcine, bovine and human cadavers, our products are a great option. GranuMaS® has even obtained halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), providing an added assurance for our Muslim patients who might be concerned about what is being placed in their bodies.”
The use of GranuMaS® alone for treatments also reduces the need for a second site-surgery to harvest the patient’s own bone.
“By avoiding a second surgery, the cost of surgery is reduced, as are the trauma, morbidity, length of hospital stay and risk of infection,” said Faizura.
It is also a good option for those with low bone regenerative properties such as diabetes, osteoporosis and hypertension sufferers as well as geriatric patients.
With its low resorption rate, it is able to provide bone volume and strength — especially for osteoporotic patients.
The SBC has an added advantage in terms of flexibility. It is prepared in powder form and can be shaped into solids of various shapes, sizes and thicknesses to fill any segmental bone loss or defects.
“As it is made to order, it can be moulded according to what the patient’s needs. We can also incorporate antibiotics in the mixture if required. We are the only bone graft manufacturer that is able to provide this customised service,” said Faizura.
Both GranuMaS® and SBC have garnered good market feedback. Approximately 50 hospitals and more than 500 patients have used GranuMaS® to date, and the numbers are climbing. Similarly, the demand for SBC has been increasing.
GranuLab aims to consistently engage with its stakeholders, by conducting continuous medical and dental education sessions at both government and private hospitals and participating in local and international exhibitions.
Among its efforts to reach out to the general public is by setting up booths in hospitals. “We are currently doing this at KPJ hospitals,” said Faizura. “This allows us to get the attention of patients on site so they know that they have options.”
As it holds the market monopoly in offering custom-made bone graft materials, GranuLab hopes to delve deeper into the global halal bone graft industry.
“We have already penetrated the Indonesian market, but we are still looking at venturing into other Asian countries, including Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore,” said Faizura.