Overview
The Biowool programme, developed at the University of Birmingham by Dr Gowsh Poologasundarampilla with funding from the Medical Research Council is progressing towards clinical translation under Biowool Regen Ltd. (https://biowoolregen.com/), focuses on a highly porous electrospun bioactive glass construct for dental and craniofacial applications. The technology is designed to support bone regeneration and space maintenance in procedures such as sinus lift, ridge augmentation and tooth extraction sockets.
The Electrospinning Company Ltd. supported the programme by providing controlled manufacturing of electrospun materials to enable progression towards clinical readiness.
The challenge
Translating advanced electrospun technologies from laboratory research into clinically viable products presents several challenges. In this case, the material system involved inorganic bioactive glass fibres, which require precise control of processing conditions to achieve consistent fibre morphology and structural integrity. In addition, progression towards regulated medical applications requires:
- Manufacturing within controlled, medical-grade environments
- Batch-to-batch reproducibility of fibre architecture
- Process stability and scale-readiness
- Handling approaches compatible with sterilisation and downstream processing
Moving from research-scale fabrication to robust, controlled production is therefore a critical step in enabling clinical translation
What we did
The Electrospinning Company Ltd. worked with the Biowool team to support the transition from laboratory development towards controlled manufacturing by:
- Producing electrospun bioactive glass materials within an ISO-controlled cleanroom environment
- Applying controlled process parameters to ensure reproducible fibre architecture
- Supporting process optimisation and translation to a more robust manufacturing approach
- Providing expertise in handling and processing of inorganic electrospun systems
All activities were delivered within a framework aligned with medical device development requirements.
Outcome / progress
This work enabled the programme to progress beyond laboratory feasibility towards the next stage of development, supporting readiness for clinical translation and future scale-up activities.
The availability of controlled, reproducible electrospun materials helped de-risk the transition from academic innovation to a more commercially and regulatorily aligned development pathway
Why it matters
Innovative biomaterials often demonstrate strong performance at laboratory scale, but their clinical and commercial success depends on the ability to manufacture them consistently under controlled conditions.
This project demonstrates how early access to specialist electrospinning manufacturing capability can support manufacturing-led translation, helping research programmes move more efficiently towards regulated medical applications.
As electrospun technologies continue to emerge across dental and regenerative medicine markets, integrating manufacturing strategy early in development is becoming a key factor in successful translation.
Call to action
If you are developing an electrospun medical technology and need support moving from feasibility to controlled manufacturing, learn more about:
- Feasibility and process development services
- Our development and scale-up process
- Cleanroom electrospinning capabilities
- Or contact our team to discuss your project.
FAQ
Why are electrospun fibres being explored for dental regeneration?
Electrospinning creates micro- to nanoscale fibre networks with high surface area and interconnected porosity. These structural features support tissue integration through passive physical interactions, while providing conformability and handling performance suited to complex dental defect sites.
Can electrospinning be scaled for commercial dental products?
Yes. With appropriate process control and cleanroom infrastructure, electrospinning can be scaled to produce consistent medical-grade materials suitable for clinical and commercial applications.
How early should manufacturing considerations be included in development?
Manufacturing strategy should be considered early in development. Process scalability, material selection, and regulatory requirements can significantly influence design decisions and timelines for clinical translation.