GROUNDBREAKING new treatments for common bone and joint diseases could be developed in York - thanks to a £4 million boost.

Today, scientists at the Smith & Nephew Research Centre, at York Science Park, launched a new partnership with the Regenerative Medicine Institute in Ireland (REMEDI).

It will enable them to develop new therapies using adult bone marrow stem cells to promote the re-growth of healthy cartilage and repair damaged joints.

The launch coincides with World Arthritis Day, which aims to raise awareness of the millions of people who suffer from debilitating bone and joint conditions.

Peter Arnold, group director, said: "We are delighted to be working with the team at REMEDI, who are widely recognised and respected as world leaders in this field.

"There are currently no regenerative options available for people suffering from osteoarthritis and other similar musculo-skeletal conditions.

"This would be particularly beneficial for younger patients, who often spend many years on high doses of painkillers before receiving a joint replacement."

He added: "The aim of the Smith & Nephew collaboration with REMEDI is to develop a new generation of orthopaedic therapies that will help people to remain active and pain free for much longer by harnessing the healing power of adult stem cells to promote the growth of new cartilage or bone."

The four-year project, funded by the Industrial Development Agency in Ireland, was launched by Ireland's Minister For Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheál Martin.

He said: "This is truly cutting-edge research and development and will be extremely important in the discovery of treatments for osteoarthritis.

"The management of osteoarthritis involves substantial cost to the healthcare system in every country and, because it is associated with ageing, these costs are expected to rise as the global population ages."

More than 100 million people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis, a disability which has no cure to date.

Current treatments largely focus on pain management and the eventual replacement of the affected knee or hip joint.

The Smith & Nephew Research Centre has already developed early prototype cell technologies, including the ability to grow human cartilage from adult stem cells.

The collaboration with REMEDI, who have extensive expertise in osteoarthritis cartilage repair, will speed up the process of producing new orthopaedic therapies.