Chinese Scientists Develop 3-Minute Bone Glue

scientists at Zhejiang University have developed Bone-02, a bio-adhesive that repairs fractures in 3 minutes (image source)

Chinese researchers at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University have unveiled “Bone-02”, a bio-adhesive that fixes fractured bones in just three minutes, promising to reduce reliance on metal implants and shorten surgeries.

Lead researcher Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopaedic surgeon, says Bone-02 draws inspiration from oysters’ natural glues, bonding effectively even in blood-soaked environments and dissolving safely as the bone heals. Laboratory tests showed the adhesive withstands over 400 lb of tensile force, with compressive strength of 10 MPa and shear strength of 0.5 MPa, indicating parity with conventional metal plates and screws.

Bone-02 completed preclinical safety assessments and has been trialed on over 150 patients in Zhejiang Province, achieving precise fixation within 180 seconds and eliminating the need for implant-removal surgery. According to Global Times, no adverse reactions were reported, and infection rates fell by 30 percent compared to traditional hardware methods.

“Metal implants have long served us well but pose infection and removal-surgery risks,” Lin explains. “Our glue bridges fragments swiftly and is reabsorbed by bone tissue, paving the way for minimally invasive orthopaedics.”

Historically, bone adhesives date back to the 1940s, using materials like gelatin and epoxy, but were abandoned over biocompatibility concerns. Bone-02’s protein-polymer composite overcomes those hurdles through bioinspired chemistry, creating covalent bonds that resist moisture and bodily fluids.

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Maria Chen of the University of Hong Kong calls it a “potential game-changer”, noting that rapid adhesion could reduce operating-room time by 25 percent and free up theatre capacity in high-volume hospitals. Nevertheless, regulatory approval remains pending. The China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) requires multicentre trials to verify efficacy across diverse fracture types, from long-bone breaks to complex joint fragments. Lin’s team plans Phase II trials in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu starting November 2025.

Oysters secrete a catechol-rich adhesive enabling them to anchor to submerged surfaces under tidal forces. By isolating and mimicking these proteins, engineers have created Bone-02’s wet-adhesion mechanism, offering a blueprint for future bio-glues across surgical disciplines.

Pending NMPA clearance, Bone-02 could enter clinical practice by mid-2027. Researchers aim to adapt the formula for spinal fusion and craniofacial reconstructions, where metal hardware poses anatomical challenges. Should these applications succeed, Bone-02 may herald a new era of “plug-and-play” surgical adhesives.