Worcester , Mass. On Thursday, March 9, 2006, Crescent Innovations presented a poster at the American Association of Dental Research for its published abstract, "Pilot Study of a Hydrogel in Pig TMJ Degeneration." This is the first peer reviewed publication for Crescent Innovations. The study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

"We are very pleased to present the results of this study," said Al Prescott, Crescent Innovations' President. "Crescent Innovations is committed to developing non-surgical therapies for the 10 million U.S. patients who suffer TMJ disorders. This is a very large and under served market that deserves more treatment options."

The results of the study showed that all 3 placebo treated TMJs displayed degeneration by CT-Scan, gross evaluation upon dissection, and histology. Degeneration consisted of erosion of the temporal bone, through the meniscal disk, and into the mandibular condyle. In contrast, 2 of the 3 hydrogel-treated TMJs showed little evidence of degradation.

"We believe that this is the first step to developing a scientifically based, non-surgical treatment for people who suffer TMJ disorders," Prescott noted. "A treatment like this could easily be administered in any doctor's office."

Prescott went on to say that, "Crescent Innovations is grateful to the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research for funding this work. To date, despite the large numbers of Americans who suffer TMJ disorders, only the NIDCR has stepped forward to fund the development of new therapies in this area. If it weren't for them and the SBIR program, this R&D effort would not have been possible."

Having successfully completed this Phase 1 SBIR work, Crescent Innovations is now eligible to apply for a Phase 2 SBIR grant, which could be worth as much as $750,000. "Our goal in the Phase 2 study will be to propose completing all the steps needed to approach the FDA and request a human clinical study," said Prescott.

Crescent Innovations Inc. is a biomedical company based in Worcester, MA, and is developing technologies to treat TMJ disorders, degenerative joint disease, bone disease and fractures, and more. For more information about Crescent Innovations, please contact us.

For more information about TMJ Disorders, please review the NIDCR's TMJ web page.

To view the abstract, please click here.

To see a picture of Mr. Prescott at the presentation, click here.