A Korean biotech company and university researchers say they have jointly developed the world’s first ceramic vertebra disc for people with serious back problems that is also easily accepted by the body .

Bio Alpha Co., Seoul National University and the Commerce Ministry said Thursday that the artificial vertebra discs are five times as hard as existing hydroxyapatite composite ceramic products and are three-and-a-half times more shock resistant.

Developers said the new product can endure a ten-ton truck being driven over it.

The ministry noted that the artificial bones can significantly enhance the success rate of intervertebral disc operations and reduce the chance of rejection by the immune system.