P R E S S   R E L E A S E

        The Chinese University of Hong Kong has entered into a research agreement with Genius International Holdings Limited to develop a technique to produce bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) as a therapeutic device for bone fractures and defects.  The new technique will involve the utilization of recombinant DNA and protein engineering technology. Dr Li Ming from the Department of Medicine & Therapeutics of the Chinese University is the principal investigator of the research project.

    Medical evidence has proved that BMPs, a series of proteins found in the bone's organic matrix, can stimulate bone growth and can be of extensive and important use in bone surgery.  However, there are only traces of BMPs found in human body.  And existing BMPs available in the market produced by using animal cells are too expensive to be used for general bone surgery.

    The first goal of this research project is therefore to develop a low-cost alternative technique to produce, purify and refold recombinant BMPs in order to make them affordable to most patients around the world, especially those in developing countries.  It is estimated that the cost can be lowered by over 90%. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to develop a series of second-generation BMP products by combining recombinant BMPs with an organic extract from a Chinese herbal medicine, that will potently enhance the effectiveness of BMPs, and can be used for bone fractures or defects at some particular places where BMPs alone may not be effective.

    Bones are made up of 65-70% mineral and 30-35% organic matrix. The process of stimulating bone growth within the body is known as osteoinduction. In 1965, Dr. Marshall Urist of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) discovered that he could promote new bone formation by demineralizing the bone and placing only the organic matrix part into the muscle of rats. This discovery led to more than three decades of extended research, which proved that BMPs are responsible for the bone formation observed by Dr. Urist.
 
    Scientists had also demonstrated that genetically produced BMPs such as BMP-2 is also osteoinductive and has the ability to stimulate ectopic bone formation. In 1977, recombinant BMP-2 was used for the first time in patients undergoing spinal fusion. The Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the United States Food and Drug Administration has recently recommended conditional approval of a medical device, which uses BMP-2 to stimulate bone growth and shorten the healing period in spinal fusion operations.  

    According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are more than 5 million fracture cases in the United States each year in which more than 3 million cases require orthopedic procedures. This indicates that the demand for BMPs will be very high worldwide.

    Genius International Holdings Limited was established in May 2001 in Hong Kong by Mr. Charles Chan Sing-Chuk, Chairman of Continental Holdings Limited, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mr Chan has been involved actively in community service and in particular, has many years of association with various hospitals.  This collaboration will produce a low-cost bone morphogenetic protein, which can be used in all kinds of bone surgery to speed up the bone healing process, and reduce the suffering of the patients.