Histogenics | NeoCart Autologous Engineered Neocartilage

NeoCart^®autologous engineered neocartilage

Histogenics grows the NeoCart® implant ex vivo (outside the body) from the patient’s own cartilage cells in a patented, high-pressure tissue engineering processor. This processor mimics the natural conditions experienced in the knee while walking, producing more natural neocartilage than other techniques.

Advantages
NeoCart implant promises an advanced solution for joint repair to help restore a patient’s active lifestyle.

Starts with a patient's own cartilage cells from a simple biopsy
Incorporates patented 3D matrix to protect cells and encourage growth and development of cartilage tissue
Results in optimally produced tissue containing both multliplying cells and substantial amount of true cartilage tissue
Is easy to handle and implant
Can treat large cartilage defects
Uses proprietary bioadhesive for strength and biocompatibility – no suturing
Integrates with surrounding native cartilage

Treatment
NeoCart treatment has three phases.

Cell collection.The process begins during a short, simple arthroscopic examination when an orthopedic surgeon takes a cartilage biopsy from a non-weight bearing area of the joint. The tissue biopsy is sent to the Histogenics manufacturing facility for culturing into the implant.

Tissue production. The cartilage cells, or chondrocytes, are isolated from the cartilage and multiplied using standard tissue culture techniques. The cells are harvested, seeded into a unique 3-dimensional collagen scaffold, and cultured under exacting conditions of high pressure, oxygen concentration and perfusion.

Implant. After a few weeks, a discrete three-dimensional piece of the patient’s own neocartilage, having characteristics of maturing native articular cartilage, is sent to the physician and implanted into the defect in a simple procedure that usually takes less than an hour. Within months, the matrix remodels, the cells mature, and the cartilage integrates with the host tissue.