A process for producing a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprises the steps of forming a homogenous suspension of collagen and HA in an acidic solution, lyophilising the suspension at a constant cooling rate until a desired final freezing temperature is reached to produce the composite scaffold, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1 : 10 (w/w). Also provided is a collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffold comprising a homogenous distribution of hydroxyapatite within a porous, collagen matrix, wherein the ratio of HA to collagen is at least 1 : 10 (w/w). Suitably, the composite scaffold has a porosity of at least 99% (v/v), and a compressive stiffness of at least 0.3KPa. Composite scaffolds of the invention may be used to provide osteoconductive bone implants, tissue engineering implants, maxillofacial bone graft substitute, dental bone graft substitute, cartilage defect repair implant and osteochondral defect repair implant.
