Broome’s mother of pearl put to good use in world-first synthetic bone facility

The use of mother of pearl as a human bone substitute is one step closer, with a state-of-the-art laboratory and manufacturing facility opening in Western Australia’s north.  

Marine Biomedical has opened the new complex in Broome today with the aim of transforming mother of pearl from the Kimberley’s silver-lipped pearl oyster shell for use in the medical field.

Patented as PearlBone, the bone substitute was originally developed by University of WA professors and will primarily be used in orthopaedics.

Marine Biomedical has employed five specialist staff at the new facility and will now seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Company chief executive Patrick Moase said full-scale batch production would take place for the remainder of 2023.

“We are completely focused on our pathway to regulatory approval for this remarkable medical product,” he said.

“It has been proven to support new bone growth and has the potential to deliver extraordinary long-term benefits across a range of orthopaedic applications.”

New facility ‘world-class’

WA’s Minister for Medical Research, Stephen Dawson, said Marine Biomedical could be “international trailblazers” in the marine-derived biomedical sector.

“We are really excited to be involved in the launch of what is a world-class laboratory and manufacturing facility in Broome,” he said.

“It brings a new dimension to Kimberley’s economy.

“It is a great example of science partnering with local industry in the research and innovation space.

“Importantly, it signals to local researchers and innovators that they no longer need look outside Western Australia to bring promising ideas to fruition.”