ChitogenX Inc (CSE:CHGX, OTCQB:CHNXF) told investors that its proprietary chitosan/platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-based biopolymer matrix, ORTHO-R, has successfully demonstrated protection from joint degeneration post-meniscal repair surgery in a large animal study.
The clinical-stage regenerative medicine company said a study of 22 mature sheep provided the first evidence that treatment including its chitosan-based biopolymer and PRP prevents structural changes to radially incised and sutured menisci in a large animal model. Additionally, it said it most likely contributed to protecting the joints against the development of osteoarthritis (OA).
In the study, a radial meniscus tear was surgically induced and immediately surgically repaired. The sheep were randomized to three groups: one group receiving surgery alone, the second group receiving surgery and PRP, and the third receiving surgery and ORTHO-R and PRP combined. The results were observed six months after the surgery.
While sheep from the first two control groups that received surgery or surgery and PRP displayed moderate to severe signs of osteoarthritis, ChitogenX said those that also received ORTHO-R retained better structure and a much milder form of OA and, in some cases, appeared near normal.
“We expected our technology to demonstrate the same results as the rotator cuff repair study in 48 sheep reported on in 2022, namely that shoulder rotator cuff repair was found to be more structurally sound with respect to tendon tissue integrity than in a control group of surgery alone” CEO Philippe Deschamps commented.
“In this study, we found similar results with respect to meniscus integrity, with the added benefit of being protective from developing knee osteoarthritis following meniscal repair surgery, while surgery alone, and surgery with PRP, alone were not.”
ChitogenX also announced that it has granted an aggregate of 3,316,667 deferred share units (DSUs) and 500,000 options to directors and officers of the company, in place of cash compensation.
ChitogenX is a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company dedicated to the development of novel therapeutic tissue repair technologies to improve tissue healing.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com