products - cartilage repair technology
Articular cartilage, also known as hyaline cartilage, is a tough, extremely smooth, elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, enabling the bones to move smoothly over one another. Since articular cartilage has no direct blood supply, when it is damaged through injury or a lifetime of use, it does not heal as effectively as other tissues in the body. Instead, the damage tends to spread, allowing the bones eventually to rub directly against each other and resulting in pain and reduced mobility. Significantly damaged cartilage may progress to a more serious condition, such as osteoarthritis.
It is estimated that as many as two million Americans damage the cartilage in their knee each year, often through sports, traumatic injuries and work injuries. Additionally, an estimated 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), also known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of the joint's articular cartilage1.
Carticept is developing a synthetic implant intended to replace or repair worn-out or damaged cartilage. The implant is made of an advanced biomaterial with wear and other physical properties similar to human cartilage. Using nanotechnology fabrication techniques, our proprietary technology creates an osteogenic micropattern on the surface of the biomaterial that induces precursor cells to differentiate into cells that produce bone, providing a more natural attachment between the biomaterial and the underlying bone. We believe this product will offer a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to current therapies for patients suffering from arthritis and/or cartilage injury.
Caution: This product is not for sale and has not yet been approved for investigational use in any jurisdiction. This material is provided for general information purposes.
1 Helmick, C., Felson, D., Lawrence, R., Gabriel, S., et all. Estimates of the Prevalence of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic conditions in the United States. Arthritis & Rheumatism 58(1), 15-25. 2008.