Teltow. The biopharmaceutical company co.don AG has completed another successful key step to protect its lead in terms of technology and know-how. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the German company a patent for the in vitro production of autologous intervertebral disc cartilage cell transplants. The company has therefore been able to protect its production process in one of the world's largest sales markets for healthcare.
"This patent secures our pioneering position in the regenerative treatment of vertebral cartilage defects for the US market as well", commented Dr. Andreas Baltrusch, CEO of co.don AG. The co.don method of autologous disc chondrocyte transplantation (ADCT) can halt the ongoing degeneration of cartilage following a herniated vertebral disc. In Germany alone more than 800,000 "slipped discs" are diagnosed every year. "This is impressive proof of the potential for our process, which is now even greater as a result of the patent protection in North America", explained Dr. Baltrusch. Health insurance companies in Germany have covered the cost of treatment with ADCT since 2008.
About co.don® AG:
The company is based in Teltow, Brandenburg, and was founded in 1993. Since 2001 the biopharmaceutical specialist has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A1K0227). co.don AG® uses tissue engineering – the cultivation and growth of autologous tissue cells – to develop innovative products and therapeutic concepts for the orthopaedic and neurosurgical markets. The cell-based biological drugs (autologous cell transplants for articular cartilage and intervertebral disks) are produced without the use of antibiotics, growth factors and genetic engineering. The Management Board of co.don® AG is made up of Dr Andreas Baltrusch (CEO) and Ms Vilma Siodla (COO).
Further information is available from: www.codon.de