Scil Technology Initiates Research into Cartilage Repair Using a Cartilage-Specific Growth Factor

MARTINSRIED, Germany

, December 01, 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. <link publications-news/detail/article/scil-technology-initiates-research-into-cartilage-repair-using-a-cartilage-specific-growth-factor.html#ref01>[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.”

<p class="bodysmall">[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: <link www.scil.com _blank>http://www.scil.com

Contacts

Media relations:

Sue Charles, MA, MBA, CEO
Northbank Communications
t : +44 (0) 20 7886 8152
e: s.charles(at)northbankcommunications.com

Douglas Pretsell, Ph.D., Senior Account Manager
Northbank Communications
t : +44 (0) 20 7886 8158
e:  d.pretsell(at)northbankcommunications.com

At Scil Technology:

Dr Irina Staatz-Granzer, Managing Director
Scil Technology GmbH
t: +49 (0)89 85651824
e: irina.staatz@scil.com