The recognition that long term healing by the body will require natural tissue structures that mimic the normal tissue has led to the emergence of tissue engineering. This fast developing field seeks to develop viable substitutes that restore, maintain or improve the function of human tissues through the use of biology and engineering.

The origins of Bio Nova’s technology go back to 1974, when Dr Ketharanathan, whilst working as a cardio-thoracic surgeon at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, began development on a new vascular prosthesis for use in coronary bypasses. Since then, nearly 100 technical publications and presentations have been made and over 10,000 patients worldwide have had their lives improved thanks to Bio Nova's technology.