Scil Technology Initiates Research
into Cartilage Repair Using a Cartilage-Specific Growth Factor
MARTINSRIED, Germany, December 1, 2004 – Scil
Technology, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development
of dental and orthopaedic tissue regeneration technologies,
today announced that it has commenced research into the development
of cartilage repair products using a cartilage specific growth
factor.
Cartilage in joints can be damaged in traumatic injury or
through the processes of osteoarthritis. In either case, it
can result in excruciating pain as bones rub against each other
without the cushioning effect of the cartilage. Current therapies
focus on the symptomatic treatment with pain killers or NSAIDs
or ultimately on surgical replacement with synthetic prosthetic
joints. Scil plans to develop treatments or implants that will
actually encourage the cartilage to re-grow.
The basis for Scil’s approach to the regeneration of
cartilage is the recombinant growth factor rhMIA / CD-RAP (or
recombinant human cartilage derived retinoic acid sensitive
protein, a growth regulatory protein precursor). This represents
a substantially novel molecule for cartilage regeneration.
It is highly specific for cartilage tissue and has been shown
to play a crucial role during cartilage formation in embryonic
development and in adult animals. Moreover, rhMIA stimulates
the synthesis of cartilage matrix as demonstrated with cartilage
cells from osteoarthritic patients. [1],[2],[3] These
properties make rhMIA a highly promising candidate for cartilage
regeneration.
Dr Irina Staatz-Granzer, Managing Director of Scil Technology,
commented:
“Up until now, Scil Technology has been known as a company focussed on
the regeneration of bones in the first place. This new programme, focused on
cartilage repair, will allow us to develop new therapies for osteochondral
defects resulting from traumatic joint injury or from osteoarthritis. These are
indications of very high unmet clinical need.”
[1] Dietz, U. et.al,
1996, J. Biol. Chem.271:331-3316
[2] Xie, W.F. et. al, 1998, J. Biol.
Chem. 273:5026-5032
[3] Tscheudschilsuren, G., 2004, J. Cell.
Physiol., submitted
About Scil Technology GmbH
Scil Technology is a private biopharmaceutical development company focused
on dental and orthopaedic tissue regeneration with a particular emphasis on
bone and cartilage repair. The Company’s lead therapeutic candidates
are based on recombinant, highly specific human growth factors. These are combined
with biodegradable biomaterials to generate local application forms. Scil Technology’s
pipeline for dentistry includes products that are targeted at periodontal disease,
dental implantology and maxillofacial surgery. Orthopaedic products are developed
for spinal fusion, traumatic lesions of bone and cartilage tissue and
osteoarthritis. Scil Technology has emerged from the Scil Group and is located
in the biotechnology cluster in Martinsried, Germany.
For more information please visit: http://www.scil.com
Contacts
Media relations:
Sue Charles, MA, MBA, CEO
Northbank Communications
t : +44 (0) 20 7886 8152
e: s.charles@northbankcommunications.com
Douglas Pretsell, Ph.D., Senior Account Manager
Northbank Communications
t : +44 (0) 20 7886 8158
e: d.pretsell@northbankcommunications.com
At Scil Technology:
Dr Irina Staatz-Granzer, Managing Director
Scil Technology GmbH
t: +49 (0)89 85651824
e: irina.staatz@scil.com
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