BioHorizons Introduces Prolifica™ Allogeneic Growth Factor Technology to Support Bone Healing and Tissue Regeneration
BioHorizons has expanded its biomaterials portfolio with the introduction of Prolifica™, an allogeneic growth factor technology designed to support bone healing and tissue regeneration. The new product is intended to provide dental clinicians with an advanced biologic option for procedures where effective bone formation and tissue regeneration are important to achieving successful outcomes.
Prolifica is described as a naturally occurring blend of allogeneic growth factors and proteins. According to BioHorizons, the technology is differentiated by its ability to preserve the natural biphasic release pattern of proteins. This release process is designed to provide an initial concentration of growth factors during the early stages of healing, followed by a more sustained release that supports continued regenerative activity.
The introduction comes as dental professionals increasingly encounter patients who require more complex hard-tissue regenerative procedures. An aging population, advances in implant dentistry and growing demand for restorative and reconstructive treatments have contributed to the need for biomaterials that can support bone healing in a range of clinical situations.
New Addition to BioHorizons’ Biomaterials Portfolio
Prolifica has been introduced as a new option within BioHorizons’ broader biomaterials portfolio. The company says the technology is intended to help clinicians support the biological processes involved in bone healing and tissue regeneration.
Unlike conventional approaches that may provide a more limited release of biological factors, Prolifica is designed around the natural release characteristics of growth factors. Its biphasic release profile consists of two stages.
The first stage involves an initial surge of proteins and growth factors. This early release is intended to support the initiation of the healing cascade following a procedure.
The second stage involves a prolonged and sustained release of proteins and growth factors. This continued release is designed to provide regenerative support during later stages of the healing process.
The ability to maintain this natural release pattern is one of the key characteristics BioHorizons highlights for Prolifica.
Supporting the Natural Healing Process
Bone healing is a complex biological process involving multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms. Following injury or surgical intervention, the body initiates a series of events involving inflammation, cellular activity, tissue formation and remodeling.
Growth factors play important roles in these processes by influencing cellular behavior and supporting communication between cells. Different proteins can contribute to processes such as cell growth, cell division and tissue development.
Prolifica retains a minimum of 16 unique proteins that are known to contribute to different aspects of cell growth, division and the biological processes associated with bone healing and tissue regeneration.
By preserving these proteins, the technology is intended to provide clinicians with a biologic material that supports multiple elements of the healing process rather than focusing on a single growth factor.
The company says this combination is particularly relevant for clinicians performing procedures where successful regeneration of hard tissue is an important part of treatment.
Preserving a Biphasic Release of Growth Factors
One of the distinguishing features of Prolifica is its natural biphasic release profile.
During the first phase, the product delivers an initial surge of proteins and growth factors. This release occurs at the beginning of the healing process and is designed to support the initiation of biological activity following a procedure.
The second phase involves a more prolonged release. Rather than delivering all of the available proteins at once, the technology is designed to maintain regenerative support over a longer period.
BioHorizons says the preservation of this natural biphasic release makes Prolifica unique within the dental market.
The approach reflects the complex nature of tissue healing, which does not occur as a single event. Instead, regeneration involves a sequence of biological activities that take place over time.
Maintaining growth factor availability throughout different stages of healing could therefore be important for supporting the cellular processes associated with bone regeneration.
Broad Range of Dental Applications
According to BioHorizons, clinicians can use Prolifica across a range of bone grafting and regenerative procedures.
One potential application is standalone bone grafting. In these procedures, Prolifica can be used as the primary biologic material to support bone healing and regeneration.
The technology can also be used in combination with autologous bone. Autologous bone refers to bone harvested from the patient’s own body and used at another location during a surgical procedure.
Combining Prolifica with autologous bone provides clinicians with another approach for regenerative procedures where additional biologic support may be desired.
The product can also be used alongside other forms of allograft bone. Allograft materials are derived from human donor tissue and are commonly used in bone regeneration procedures.
This flexibility allows clinicians to incorporate Prolifica into different treatment strategies based on the patient’s needs and the nature of the procedure.
Addressing More Complex Regenerative Procedures
Dental bone regeneration has become increasingly important as clinicians treat patients with more complicated anatomical and clinical needs.
Patients may require bone augmentation before or during implant placement, for example, when insufficient bone volume is available to support an implant.
Other procedures may also involve the regeneration of damaged or deficient hard tissue.
As the dental implant and regenerative markets continue to develop, clinicians are seeking biomaterials that can support predictable healing while fitting into established surgical workflows.
BioHorizons says Prolifica was developed in response to this need.
“Our customers require an advanced allograft solution to support complex hard tissue regenerative procedures, which are becoming more frequent with the aging population,” said Steve Boggan, president and CEO of BioHorizons.
According to Boggan, Prolifica is intended to provide clinicians with an additional option when performing complex regenerative procedures and to support their efforts to achieve positive patient outcomes.
Importance of Growth Factors in Bone Regeneration
Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins that influence a variety of biological processes. In tissue regeneration, they can participate in signaling pathways that influence cell behavior and the development of new tissue.
Bone formation and remodeling depend on interactions between multiple cell types and signaling molecules. Because of this complexity, a regenerative material containing multiple naturally occurring proteins may provide a broader biological profile.
Prolifica retains at least 16 distinct proteins, according to BioHorizons. These proteins are associated with different aspects of cell growth, cell division and other biological processes involved in tissue regeneration.
The company’s approach is focused on preserving these naturally occurring components rather than reducing the material to a single isolated growth factor.
This is particularly relevant in regenerative medicine, where biological healing involves numerous interconnected pathways.
Designed for Clinical Flexibility
Another important consideration for clinicians is how easily a regenerative product can be incorporated into different procedures.
Prolifica is intended for use as a standalone bone grafting material as well as in combination with autologous bone or other allograft materials.
This flexibility can allow dental professionals to tailor regenerative approaches according to the patient’s anatomy, treatment objectives and surgical requirements.
The ability to combine biomaterials may also provide clinicians with additional options when addressing challenging bone deficiencies.
BioHorizons’ introduction of Prolifica therefore adds another tool to its existing biomaterials portfolio and expands the options available to clinicians performing hard-tissue regenerative procedures.
Focus on Maintaining Protein Concentration
The processing of biological materials can influence the characteristics and availability of proteins and growth factors. For clinicians using regenerative products, maintaining an appropriate concentration of biologically active components can be an important consideration.
BioHorizons says Prolifica is processed in a way that maintains a high concentration of growth factors.
“With Prolifica, we’re able to provide our customers with one of the newest processes on the market,” said Jason Cordell, senior director of biomaterials for BioHorizons. “This solution is processed so that it maintains a high concentration of growth factors.”
The company’s emphasis on processing reflects its broader objective of preserving the biological characteristics of the material throughout manufacturing.
Supporting the Future of Dental Regeneration
The introduction of Prolifica reflects the continued evolution of biomaterials used in dentistry. As clinicians take on increasingly complex regenerative procedures, advances in biologic materials may provide additional approaches for supporting bone healing.
The aging population is also contributing to the demand for advanced dental care. Older patients may present with more complex medical and dental histories, previous bone loss or other factors that can influence treatment planning.
For clinicians, having access to different regenerative technologies can help them select approaches suited to individual patient circumstances.
Prolifica’s combination of naturally occurring allogeneic growth factors, a biphasic release profile and multiple potential applications positions the product as a new addition to the regenerative dentistry market.
Potential Role in Hard-Tissue Regeneration
Hard-tissue regeneration remains a significant area of focus in implant dentistry and oral surgery. Adequate bone volume and quality can be important considerations for procedures involving dental implants and other reconstructive treatments.
Regenerative materials can be used to support the body’s healing processes when bone deficiencies are present.
Prolifica is designed specifically to provide biological support during these processes. Its initial release of growth factors is intended to assist with the early healing cascade, while the sustained release is designed to continue supporting regeneration.
This two-stage approach is intended to align with the natural progression of healing rather than treating regeneration as a single-stage process.
Expanding Options for Dental Clinicians
With the launch of Prolifica, BioHorizons is giving dental professionals another option for bone grafting and tissue regeneration.
The technology can be used on its own or combined with autologous bone and other allograft materials, allowing it to fit into different clinical approaches.
Its retention of at least 16 unique proteins and preservation of a natural biphasic release profile are among the characteristics the company highlights as differentiating the product.
For clinicians managing complex regenerative cases, these features may provide another tool for supporting the biological environment needed for bone healing.
BioHorizons’ launch of Prolifica illustrates the ongoing development of advanced biomaterials for dental applications. By focusing on naturally occurring growth factors and maintaining their release characteristics, the company aims to address the biological complexity of bone healing and tissue regeneration.
The technology is intended for use in a range of bone grafting procedures, including standalone applications and procedures involving autologous or allogeneic bone.
As demand for complex hard-tissue regenerative procedures continues to grow, particularly among an aging patient population, innovations in biomaterials may play an increasingly important role in dental treatment.
Prolifica’s introduction gives clinicians another regenerative option designed around the natural biology of healing. By combining multiple growth factors and proteins with a biphasic release process, BioHorizons is seeking to advance the tools available for bone healing and tissue regeneration and support clinicians as they address increasingly complex dental and oral surgical needs.
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