Belgian/Italian link-up to soothe arthritic joints

The two tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, specialists will work together to produce cell-based products for cartilage regeneration, combining TiGenix’ ChondroCelect product with FAB’s Hyalograft C scaffold.

ChondroCelect is designed to threat symptomatic cartilage defects in the knee. The product has completed a randomized Phase III clinical study which is due to be presented to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons conference in February.

Hyalograft C is a hyaluronan-based biocompatible and biodegradable scaffold that was the first three-dimensional cell culture matrix specifically developed for use in cartilage repair.

The new product will combine TiGenix, which has the potential to restore stable hyaline-like cartilage, with FAB's scaffold that can be applied through arthroscopic surgery. This approach makes the procedure easier for the surgeon and less invasive for the patient. In addition, both companies believe that the combination product opens up the possibility of treating patients with cartilage lesions in joints where osteoarthritis is present.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, register and market the combination product in Europe. In addition, TiGenix obtained an exclusive license for the use of Hyalograft C in combination with ChondroCelect in the rest of the world. FAB will also be the exclusive supplier of the biopolymer scaffold. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Gil Beyen, CEO of TiGenix, sees this partnership as an important milestone for both companies, “We are very pleased to have selected the best available scaffold for our characterised cells and look forward to start working with FAB on developing the next generation of combination products for the treatment of damaged and osteoarthritic joints”.