GETTY The research could improve the quality of life for an ageing population

Experts have discovered techniques that stimulate cell growth and strengthen joints, enabling the elderly to fight diseases and conditions that blight later life.



The research could improve quality of life and drastically cut the spiralling costs of caring for an ageing population.



The pharmaceutical firm Novartis is working on a therapy that will reactivate growth cells that become dormant in the body after adulthood.



It works by delivering a monoclonal antibody – a laboratory-engineered molecule that mimics natural antibodies – to neutralise a receptor in the body responsible for switching off growth cells.



They believe improved muscle mass and stability could help prevent falls, which cause around 76,000 hip fractures a year in the UK and costs the NHS £1.4billion.



The figures are predicted to double by 2050.



“This is regenerative medicine, using the body itself to stimulate the immune system to counteract the effects of ageing on the quality of life,” said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head of Development at Novartis.

“We are targeting the receptor that down-regulates muscle growth. By blocking that receptor, we can stimulate muscle growth.



“The body retains the cells that generated cartilage and tendon but they become dormant. The question is, can you reactivate them to grow cartilage and tendon again? We have shown in clinical trials that you can grow the deltoid and quadriceps.”



The body can lose one per cent of muscle mass a year after the age of 50.

This is regenerative medicine, using the body itself to stimulate the immune system to counteract the effects of ageing on the quality of life Vas Narasimhan, Global Head of Development at Novartis