The Basque company Histocell, specialised in cell therapy for regenerative medicine, has signed an agreement with the pharmaceutical Ferrer group for the development of a new drug used in cell therapy for joint cartilage regeneration.

The project aims to develop an advanced cell therapy drug for clinical application to damaged joint cartilage through non-invasive surgical techniques. The final product comprises adult mesenchymal stem cells from the patient together with a new biomaterial, which jointly promote the cartilage regeneration and, consequently, the recuperation of the damaged joint.

Within the drug development process, Histocell will be responsible for manufacturing the new drug in its facilities as well as contributing its knowledge and experience in the field of cell therapy. In turn, Ferrer pharmaceuticals will supervise the pre-clinical development phase and subsequent clinical phases, together with its future domestic and international commercialisation.

According to Julio Font, CEO at Histocell, "this agreement is a strategic alliance for our company. It not only supports and strengthens our research programme in the bone and joint field but, in addition, it fosters the commercialisation of our developments on cartilage regeneration, thus providing a significant aid to patients suffering from these disorders”.

Histocell is a biotechnology company specialised in Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy within the Noray BG (Noray Biosciences Group) and located at the Bizkaia Technology Park. Histocell, and more specifically its Clean Room, is the second Spanish body getting the “Manufacturer of Cell Therapy Medicinal Products” certification of the Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (Spanish Medicine and Healthcare Products Agency). This enables the company to manufacture cell therapy medicinal products approved by the European Union.

On the other hand, Ferrer is an international business group active in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, diagnosis, fine chemistry and food sectors. With a 2009 turnover close to 700 million Euros and operating in more than 80 countries, Ferrer is one of the most relevant Spanish pharmaceutical groups with very solid and promising growth and future prospects.