Calcium phosphates are widely used in orthopaedics as implant coatings and defect fillers. They are biocompatible, free from toxicity or rejection. Bone cells respond to the materials as if they were part of natural bone and adhere to the physical structure to form new bone. The first in-vivo use of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) occurred in 1920. In the 1970s, hydroxyapatites (HA) were synthesized, characterized and applied. And then in the 1980s Brown and Chow developed the first injectable Calcium Phosphate material. ETEX's first product, Alpha-bsm, Bone Substitue Material is used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the treatment of bone voids resulting from fractures or other medical conditions.

The science of developing optimal bone repair products is complex. There are almost a dozen different forms of calcium phosphates that can be used alone or as components in orthobiologics. The manufacturing process, a thermal reaction at high temperature (sintering) or double decomposition of components at low temperature, also impacts the structure of the final compound. Sintering of materials typically yield highly crystalline, bioinert ceramics. The injectable calcium phosphate materials are synthesized using the latter method and range in crystallinity and resorbability in-vivo.

ETEX has assembled a talented group of scientists and chemical engineers who possess an in-depth understanding of calcium phosphate chemistry and synthesis, including adaptations which correlate to variable material properties. Our team consults regularly with leading biomaterials scientists, cell biologists and clinical researchers within the global community to develop innovative products that meet the clinicians' needs.

Our efforts are focused on developing a flexible platform for the rapid development of products that combine the chemical and mechanical attributes of calcium phosphate materials with the biological activity of proteins, cells, and therapeutic agents. Our composites have the advantage of being biocompatible, bioresorbable and physiologically compatible with a variety of molecules.