Porous bioinert-bioactive composite ceramics were fabricated from hydroxyapatite and titania powder mixtures by using several techniques including involving the use of porogens such as carbon fibers, polyurethane (PU) foams or H2O2 . The optimal titania content in the composite was 15 wt.%. Using H2O2 as pore creator, a porosity of 65 +/-4% was achieved. The pores were shown to be interconnected with dimensions in the range 100-1000 mu m. Young's modulus, bending strength and compressive strength of the porous composite were: 1.7 +/-0.2 GPa, 2.1 +/- 0.3 MPa and 7 +/- 1 MPa, respectively. This porous material can find applications as scaffold in bone tissue regeneration strategies. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.