In view of the versatility of these materials and the promising applications currently being demonstrated, one would expect a surge in clinical trials aiming to bring these technologies to the market, benefiting patients as expected. However, the reality falls short, with no combination of hydrogels and nano-objects in the market and only a handful of clinical trials reported (Table ). So, what are the obstacles to the widespread adoption of hybrid hydrogels, and where do researchers need to focus to make a significant impact on patient health?