Osteology Foundation

	Approach

	Today’s developments in applied research mean new treatment options for tomorrow’s patients. The successful, goal-orientated development of new products requires close collaboration between scientists and the research industry. Geistlich Biomaterials, together with ten leading scientists from seven countries, set up the independent Osteology Foundation on 27 August 2003 to further reinforce this co-operation.
	The Foundation intends to promote applied research so that new regenerative techniques can be made available at practice level more quickly and backed by sufficient testing. For this reason, the Osteology Foundation is specifically encouraging clinical research and training in the field of tissue regeneration as well as co-operation between university and industry for the benefit of research and practice. The demands of patients in terms of the function and aesthetics of their implants have increased greatly in recent years. With the growing number of implant restorations, more and more implant surgeons are requiring reliable solutions for the regeneration and management of the hard and soft tissues. This is why the subject of regeneration is becoming increasingly important in everyday practice.

	What are the benefits to science of the Osteology Foundation?

	Prof. Christoph Hämmerle, President of the Foundation's advisory board and Director of the Clinic for Crown and Bridge Restorations at the Dental Centre of the University of Zurich, sees the chief advantage as being the creation of a platform between industry and science:
	"Industry has access to technology and can bring new forms of treatment and new products to market-readiness. Universities develop and test new methods and define the treatment standards. At the Osteology Foundation, we will discuss issues arising from regenerative applied research with industry and in this way exert a substantial influence on new development projects. Of course, we should not forget the Foundation's tasks in terms of apprenticeship and communication. Here, too, I am expecting a major benefit for clinicians and practitioners. At the end of the day, it is clinical application that determines the success of a new treatment. And the further training of dentists will be another key task of Osteology."