A privately held Canadian biotechnology company, Ortho Regenerative Technologies Inc. (Ortho RTI), has entered into an agreement with Gestion Univalor, L.P. and Polytechnique, Montréal, to acquire a platform technology for the repair and regeneration of damaged joints, including knees and shoulders.
This platform uses formulations designed to transform from a freeze-dried polymer into therapeutic micro particles. The transformation takes place when the particles come into contact with surgically prepared lesions or when combined with blood fractions enriched for cells that stimulate wound healing. This core technology is the foundation on which Ortho RTI plans to develop a portfolio of products that will help regenerate joint tissues.
“This platform is built on solid scientific research by leading experts in the field of joint and tissue repair, ” said company President Steve Saviuk. “The first focus will be on repair of torn meniscus in the knee. We have seen encouraging data from a recently completed pilot animal model showing the ability to stimulate meniscus healing in joints treated with our technology. Additional clinical targets include the repair of articular cartilage and of the rotator cuff.”
Company officials are aware that only a small percentage of surgical procedures to repair tears to the meniscus, rotator cuff and articular cartilage result in satisfactory regeneration. Ortho RTI officials say that their development will focus on the large percentage of tears that require biological stimulation to heal properly. They report that Ortho RTI’s products are provided in a stable lyophilized format that is easily added to current treatment protocols already in place in orthopedic surgery.
Under the terms of the agreement, Gestion Univalor has agreed to transfer several patent applications and their related know-how to Ortho RTi which in turn has awarded a three-year contract to Polytechnique Montréal to carry out a research and development program to further advance the technologies.
