Regenerative medicine company Orthocell (ASX:OCC) has announced that new patents have been granted in Canada and Hong Kong for its novel CelGro collagen medical device platform for soft tissue regeneration applications.
The company said the patents, which are titled 'Suture-less repair of soft tissue', are now approved in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada, with further applications progressing in the US and Europe.
The patents are set to expire on 12 October 2035.
Orthocell managing director Paul Anderson said, "These patents are an important addition to our global intellectual property portfolio, further strengthening our position in regenerative medicine product development and novel surgical techniques for soft tissue repair.
"Suture-less or tensionless repair is of particular importance in the optimal repair of damaged nerves and is a key part of the repair process undertaken in the CelGro® nerve regeneration clinical study. This comes at a perfect time for the Company as we move our exciting pipeline products in nerve, tendon and ligament repair through the registration process in the US, EU and AUS."
Suture-less repair of soft tissue refers to the method of repairing damaged soft tissue without the use of damaging sutures or stitches. Suture-less repair has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and efficacy of surgical procedures by simplifying techniques, reducing surgery time and reducing the risk of additional trauma to soft tissue caused by the use of stitches.
Repair of damaged peripheral nerves often involves reconstructive surgery and the use of stitches to reconnect the nerve ends.
Orthocell said its pre-clinical studies have shown at a microscopic level that CelGro produces superior nerve repair and return of muscle function in severed peripheral nerves when compared to the traditional (direct suture) repair method.
