– Source Material with Excellent Tissue Reproduction Capability Developed as a Next-Generation Growth Engine

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Gyeonggi Province have successfully developed and commercialized a bio-material that will stimulate tissue reproduction using cartilage cells, a world first. Both organizations have supported “Technology Development for Cell Treatment,” a new growth engine sector, since 2005.

The material was developed by a research team led by Professor Min Byeong-hyeon of the Cell Treatment Center in the Department of Medicine, Ajou University. The material is now being commercialized through technology transfer to Regenprime Inc, under the sponsorship of Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. The Korea Food & Drug Administration issued an approval for clinical tests in September 2008.

Although there has been active research on the treatment of incurable diseases, including studies on stem cells and tissue engineering, the development of cell treatment requires the development of diverse platform technologies, such as the improvement of therapeutic cell functions, quality management, and production process standardization. However, there has been little systematic research into platform technologies.

To address such needs, the “Technology Development for Cell Treatment” Project led by Professor Min’s Team was designated in 2005 by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy as one of the country’s new growth engines.

Gyeonggi Province has invested KRW 0.4 billion annually in technology development for the commercialization of cell treatment and the stimulation of medical and bio industries since 2005, and it plans to provide additional support of KRW 2 billion over the next five years.

Artifilm, a bio film for the reproduction of cartilage bone, is the world¡¯s first film-type product with excellent tissue reproduction capability, and it causes no immune rejection as the cells are completely removed.

In addition, the film is ideal not only for cartilage bones but also for transplants in articulations, as it is extremely thin. It is expected that the film will significantly improve the success rate of cartilage reproduction surgeries, such as marrow stimulation technique, the transplant of autogenous cartilage cells, and stem cell transplants.

As research has proven that the film prevents the reoccurrence of pterygium, it will be used for conjunctiva and cornea reproduction. In addition, it was also proven that the film can reproduce bones and disks, and this is expected to create massive business value. The application scope is expected to be very broad, ranging from the reproduction of cartilage bones to skin, cornea, conjunctiva, disks, and even hearts.

Professor Min’s Team is currently engaged in a study to verify the cell compatibility and optimize the material, and aims to develop the film into a cell transmitter for the transplant of cartilage cells and stem cells by the end of 2009. The domestic arthritis market, in which the bio material will be most frequently consumed, is estimated to be worth KRW 400 billion, and the global market is estimated at USD 119 billion.