Orthocell data validated for bone generation

Shares in regenerative medicine company Orthocell (ASX:OCC) have jumped over 15%, following the presentation of successful ‘cell factory’ data at the 34th Annual Meeting of the European Bone and Joint Infection Society last week.

The data supports Orthocell’s intellectual property around the generation of ‘tissue specific’ growth factors for the regeneration of cartilage and bone. It follows on from the company’s cell factory work for cartilage injuries, announced earlier this year, which explored the potential of cell factory-derived bioactive molecules for the repair of subchondral cartilage defects.

In a paper published in the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Medicine in July, researchers demonstrated that growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins derived from bone cells cultivated in a quality-controlled ‘cell factory’ — when combined with scaffolds — regenerated deep articular cartilage defects in New Zealand rabbits. The data presented at the meeting last week supports the role of these elements in the regeneration of serious bone defects.

“Unhealed fractures, particularly those involving infections, is one of the most difficult orthopaedic conditions to treat — and this work holds great promise for an effective solution,” said Orthocell CEO Paul Anderson. “This has the potential to be a clinically effective and cost-effective approach for the regeneration of chronic bone defects.”

The data was generated as part of a research collaboration with the Centre for Orthopaedic Research at The University of Western Australia, as well as with research institutes in Sweden, Denmark, India and the UK.

Orthocell (ASX:OCC) shares were trading 15.09% higher at $0.61 as of around 1.30 pm on Tuesday.