Dr. Peter Geistlich, chairman of the board of Geistlich Pharma, has established the Osteo Science Foundation to advance hard and soft tissue regeneration in the area of oral, cranial and maxillofacial surgery through high quality basic and clinical research, and education that leads to improved outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Creation of the Osteo Science Foundation was announced at the OMS Faculty Section Business Meeting convened during the 2013 AAOMS Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, October 7-12. Dr. Jay P. Malmquist, Chairman of the Foundation Board, states that, “Advancements in regenerative medicine are continuously improving clinical outcomes in the area of oral, cranial and maxillofacial surgery. The Osteo Science Foundation seeks to maximize these advancements by supporting scientific and clinical research and education relating to the most effective surgical techniques and clinical use of biomaterials and biologics.”
In pursuit of its objective to encourage scientific and clinical research in the area of regenerative medicine, the Osteo Science Foundation has initiated a call for abstracts with a submission deadline of December 1, 2013. The first grants are expected to be awarded in July 2014, with funding of up to $50,000 per project and a maximum duration of two years. Dr. Malmquist noted that there is no proscribed cap on the number of projects that may be accepted for the grants. He further stated that by 2015, the number of grant cycles will be increased to two per year, and the first educational symposium will be held.
“AAOMS is excited to work with the Osteo Science Foundation to encourage research in the area of hard and soft tissue regeneration in the oral, cranio and maxillofacial surgical area,” said AAOMS President Dr. Miro A. Pavelka. “Biomaterials and biologics hold tremendous promise for the treatment we provide our patients. This is truly the future of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States.”
Joining Dr. Malmquist on the Osteo Science Foundation Board are oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Alan S. Herford, chairman and program director of the Department of OMS Residency Program at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, and Dr. Peter K. Moy, professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UCLA School of Dentistry.
