AFL approves use of Regeneus's HiQCell

Regeneus (ASX:RGS) has scored a win for its stem cell therapy HiQCell, with the AFL approving the use of the treatment for injured athletes.

The AFL has granted case-by-case approval covering the use of HiQCell as a treatment option for injured players under a new list of prohibited and approved treatments, the company said. Typical uses will include impact-related osteoarthritis and tendonitis.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has also cleared the therapy for athletes who participate in sporting competitions subject to the WADA Anti-Doping Code. This includes the AFL.

“This recent decision by the AFL demonstrates a further level of compliance, specifically for players within that sporting code,” said Steve Barbera, Regeneus commercial development director for human health.

HiQCell has also been used by several elite athletes from other sporting codes, including the NRL.

The HiQCell therapy involves harvesting a patient’s own stem cells from adipose tissue, culture expanding them and reinjecting them into osteoarthritic-affected joints.

Last week, Regeneus announced results of a clinical trial of HiQCell showing that 14 of the 17 patients at the two-year post-treatment stage had experienced a more than 30% reduction in pain.

The company also entered a collaboration with Cryosite (ASX:CTE) covering the development and manufacture of new human stem cell products.

Regeneus (ASX:RGS) shares were trading 5.56% higher at $0.285 as of around 2 pm on Thursday.