Method
Autologous Cell Therapies for Tissue Regeneration
co.don® AG has developed therapy concepts and therapeutic options wich using the "power" of autologous cells to restore health and increase life quality of the patient.
The cartilage cell transplantation or Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation (ACT) is a combination of innovative biotechnology and modern trauma surgery treatment. The procedure is known for the regeneration of high-quality, biomechanical load-bearing and pressure resistant cartilage tissue. With the help of the autologous cells’ potential, cartilage defects can be treated successfully. The current medical indications are shoulder, knee, hip, ellbow and talus.
co.don® AG has developed the ACT Procedure. The new product is a three-dimensional chondrocyte transplant. The three-dimensional structure of autologous cultured chondrocytes and autologous self-constructed matrix leads to the reconstruction of cartilage-specific functional properties. This product represents the direct further development of the former product into the autologous matrix-induced ACT by using spheroid technology. This procedure is called Autologous three-dimensional Chondrocyte Transplantation(ACT 3D)
Another medical indication for co.don® Therapies is the herniated disc. Our unique terapeutic option Autologousi Disc-derived Chondrocyte Transplantation (ADCT) is an innovative biological therapeutic for the biological repair of degenerated invertebral discs and full restoration of affected invertebral discs to function after removal of a prolapsed disc. The progressive degeneration of the invertebral disc associated with a decrease in the height of and ultimate loss of function of the invertebral disc is avoided. The risk of secondary instability
of the spine will be removed by the induced regeneration of the affected invertebral disc using our pharmaceutical.
Transplantation of the multiplied osteoblasts into the damaged part of the bone or the area of bone to be reconstructed is followed by an active synthesis of bone constituents and the formation of autologous bone.
In comparison with conventional procedures the advantage of our product consists in rapid solidification and prevention of a reduction in the volume of bone augmentation. The newly formed jaw bone tissue is biomechanically resilient, pressure-resistant and integrates perfectly with the jaw.
co.don® has the manufacturing permission for its autologous cell transplants since 1997.
There is the same basic procedure at all products and indications. After having made the diagnosis, the
neurosurgeon, orthopaedist or dentist harvests a small piece of tissue from
a healthy, minor weight-bearing part of the patient’s defect near-by area. The
harvesting of the tissue is carried out within an approx.
30-minute lasting, ambulant, arthroscopic surgery (arthroscopy).
At the same time, blood is taken from the patient.
The blood is used in the lab for serum isolation.
The harvested biopsy
along with the blood is sent to co.don® AG. Cells are isolated
from the tissue sample and cultivated under sterile conditions in the
highly specialized cell culture laboratories of co.don® AG. HERE you can find out more about the unique cell cultivation technology IIT (Integrated Isolator technology - a cleanroom in a cleanroom)
After the cultivation, the biological
pharmaceutical product is sent to the treating physician. The transport
is carried out under secure conditions within a few hours to maintain
the cells’ quality.
The cultivated autologous cells are now placed
in the prepared area of the defect.
The operation is followed by an individual rehabilitation as an integrated part of the therapeutic concept.
