Orthobiology

Progentix focuses primarily on the bone graft segment of the orthobiology market. This segment alone is valued at approximately EUR 2 billion in 2006. Its applications are primarily in orthopaedics, spinal fusion and craniomaxillofacial (dental) surgery. Progentix technology can be applied in all of these sub-segments. Progentix believes that its easy-to-operate system provides a unique combination of cost-effectiveness and a significant clinical improvement in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders.

Progentix is looking for partners interested in further developing its stem cell technology in the orthobiology market, as well as for orthopaedic companies for the further commercialisation of its unique portfolio of synthetic bone grafts.

Cardiovascular medicine & neural diseases

In addition, Progentix’ adult stem cell expansion technology can be applied to treat cardiovascular and neural diseases, which greatly increases its market potential.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a significant public health problem, causing about 50% of mortality (240 to 260 death per 100,000 population). Additionally CVD are the leading cause of disease burden with 21.8% of the overall burden of disease and injury. Some 175,000 heart valve replacements per year are carried out worldwide, with sales worth about EUR 830 million in 2001. About 240,000 to 320,000 coronary and peripheral bypass graft surgeries are carried out in Europe annually. In the US alone, the market opportunity of heart assist devices, a market where adult stem cells can serve as an alternative, has been estimated at approximately 272,000 patients annually, representing a market opportunity of USD 8 billion.

For non-orthobiology applications, Progentix is looking for:

• partners interested in the further development of its adult stem cell technology in clinical areas such as cardiovascular and neural disease
• partners interested in the commercialisation of Progentix’ expanded stem cells for R&D purposes
• prospective buyers of its expanded stem cells (universities, research institutes and companies).

Progentix is further able to provide fully characterised expanded adult stem cells, specific culture medium and supplements for the expansion and osteogenic differentiation of adult stem cells, and a unique group of synthetic biomaterial scaffolds.