Eindhoven, October 9th 2025 – Over the next 30 months, the partners will combine expertise in biomaterials, orthopedic implants, cell biology, and translational research to deliver a new solution for one of the most persistent challenges in orthopedics: restoring the delicate interface between cartilage and bone.
Why HYBROS matters
Osteochondral defects, which simultaneously affect cartilage and the underlying bone, remain notoriously difficult to treat. Current therapies—such as microfracture, grafts, or cell-based interventions—often show limited durability, resulting in recurring pain, reduced mobility, and in many cases eventual joint replacement.
HYBROS seeks to change this paradigm. The project will design and validate a hybrid scaffold with gradient properties that mimic natural tissue transitions and guide the patient’s own cells to regenerate both cartilage and bone.
For patients, the expected benefits include:
- More durable and integrated joint repair
- Fewer surgical failures and reinterventions
- Improved mobility and quality of life
- Reduced long-term healthcare costs
European collaboration & funding
HYBROS is supported by the Vanguard Initiative’s VInnovate 2024 Call, a funding mechanism that accelerates translational R&D through cross-border collaboration. Special thanks to the Province of North Brabant for making SBMC’s contribution possible.
- 30-month program, co-financed by VInnovate and consortium partners
- Interregional collaboration uniting organizations from Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands
- Focus on scalability: prototypes will be tested not only in preclinical models but also assessed for manufacturability and regulatory pathways, ensuring a clear route to clinical translation
Project goals
During its course, HYBROS will:
- Design and fabricate hybrid scaffolds with cartilage–bone gradient properties
- Test biocompatibility and mechanical stability in vitro and in vivo
- Optimize degradation kinetics to synchronize with tissue regeneration
- Prepare for scale-up, manufacturing, and regulatory approval
“HYBROS is a bold step to address one of the toughest challenges in regenerative orthopedics,” says Jan Rietsema, CEO of SBMC. “As a translational hub, SBMC brings together research, industry and clinical expertise to accelerate biomaterial innovations into practice. With HYBROS, we will ensure that hybrid scaffold technology is developed not only as a scientific breakthrough, but also with a clear path towards clinical application and patient impact.”
About the partners
- Smart Biomaterials Consortium (SBMC) – Translational hub for biomaterials and regenerative medicine in the Netherlands.
- GreenBone Ortho (Italy) – Developer of biomimetic bone scaffolds inspired by natural wood structures.
- Stemmatters (Portugal) – Specialist in advanced biomaterials and stem cell technologies.
- CBQF – Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Portugal) – Research center in biotechnology and bioprocessing.
