Many bioactive molecules like recombinant human bonemorphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) have been developed formineralized bone grafts, for which proper scaffolds arenecessary to successfully apply the bioactive molecules. In thisstudy, we tested the osteogenic efficacy of rhBMP-2 producedin-house in combination with gelatin sponge as the scaffoldcarrier in a rabbit radial defect model. The efficacy of therhBMP-2 was determined by alkaline phosphatase activityassay of C2C12 cells. Two groups of ten rabbits each weretreated with rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge, or gelatin sponge only.At 4 weeks, rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge grafts showed more boneregeneration than gelatin sponge grafts, as determined by X-rayradiography, micro-computed tomography, and histologicalanalyses. At 8 weeks, rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge grafts exertedmuch stronger osteogenic effects. The study demonstrates theimproved osteogenic efficacy of the rhBMP-2/gelatin spongegrafts in a rabbit radial bone defect model acting as abone-inductive material. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(6): 328-333]