GCU Sets Up Centre to Produce Low-Cost Orthopaedic Implants

News Desk

Lahore: The Government College University Lahore (GCUL) has established a Centre of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at its new campus in Kala Shah Kaku to develop and commercially produce low-cost orthopaedic implants in Pakistan.

Vice Chancellor Dr Syed Asghar Zaidi revealed that equipment worth Rs250 million has already been installed at the Centre of Excellence with support from the British Council and the Centre is also due to get a five million euro grant from the German Science Foundation.

Prof Zaidi inaugurated the centre on the university’s 370-acre New Campus and stated that the centre aims to produce and export low-cost bioactive glass-based composite coatings for orthopaedic implants, addressing issues like corrosion and toxic metal ion release from current implants.

Dr Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman informed the participants that the project will use 3D printing technology to create orthopedic implants, such as bone plates and screws, coated with bioactive glass-based composites. Bioactive glasses can be doped with different ions for therapeutic benefits and improved tissue regeneration. Dr Atiq and his team have also researched the use of natural herbs for skin regeneration.

Lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan commended the Center of Excellence as a valuable foreign investment, highlighting the potential for Pakistan to produce and export orthopaedic implants globally. He said here, from technology to product, the indigenous would be the world’s buyer.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Former President Mian Misbah ur Rehman said that Pakistan possesses excellent talent and a significant human resource pool; all we need to do is provide them with a robust system.