Biotechnology-company Educell: the specialist for cultivating human cells and tissues

With the method of ACT (autologous chondrocyte transplantation) - a revolutionary new procedure used in orthopaedic surgery – Educell starts its operations in Krems, Austria, as a specialist in cell proliferation. In this new state of the art production unit not only human chondrocytes can be proliferated for the product ChondroArt™, but any kind of human cells for various therapies.

The company:

Educell Zellkultivierung Forschungs- und Entwicklungs GmbH was founded in 1997 in Slovenia with the goal of introducing cell therapy and tissue engineering to human medicine. As a company dedicated to scientific research, Educell is constantly working on the development of new products. Since spring 2001 Educell is resident in Austria, too (Science Park Krems, Regional Innovation Centre), in an area where a biotechnology-cluster is beginning to develop. CEO Dr. Matthias Eder explains Educell´s plans for the next years: “Our goal is to establish a worldwide leading company in the field of tissue engineering supplying markets in Europe, South America and Asia.” Educell´s experts in research (biotechnologists, molecular biologists, immunologists, cell biologists, physicians) increase their expertise every day to perfect the products.

ChondroArt™ - The method of ACT:

After the physician has diagnosed the injury to the knee cartilage, a small specimen of healthy cartilage is taken from the injured knee joint. The samples (biopsy, blood) together with the documentation are placed into a transportation kit, which ensures safe transportation. Planes are used for transporting the kit over large distances to guarantee the fast and well-preserved shipping to Educell. When received by Educell personnel, the kits content is checked and the cartilage-specimen is taken to further in vitro cultivation under strictly sterile laboratory conditions. Then the cartilage is decomposed by enzymes into individual chondrocyte cells. The chondrocytes are introduced into cultivation vessels and fed by a substrate containing the patient’s own serum. This measure prevents the transmission of any contagious diseases. The cells reproduce for three weeks, and then various tests are applied to check the quality of the cultivated cells (e.g. whether the cells belong to the biopsy donor). After that the reproduced cells are transferred to a transportation vial and the vial and documentation are again placed into a transportation kit and immediately shipped back to the patient. The surgeon sanitises the place of injury and covers the injury with a patch of periosteum, and then the suspension of cells is injected into the lesion under the periosteum taken from the shank of the same leg. After this procedure the implanted chondrocytes begin to grow on to the sides and fill up the lesion. After a period of recovery and rehabilitation the joint regenerates completely and is able to bear full weight again without causing pain.

Advantages:

Educell is a modern company, experienced in the cultivation of cartilage cells for autologous transplantation since 1997. The team of researchers consists of young and motivated experts from many fields of natural science, who work to help people and relieve pain.

Educell only uses material of the highest quality and routinely performs the required procedures of isolation and cultivation of cells in modern and well-equipped laboratories providing good laboratory and manufacturing practice (GLP/GMP). All necessary standards and guidelines are applied and constantly improved, and the company heavily invests into laboratory equipment and information technology, and collaborates with the most reputable institutions.

As one of Educell´s highest principles is the strictly autologous transplantation, only autologous tissue is used to repair the cartilage defect. Therefore the risk of reactions against the implanted cells is minimized and there is no danger of infection with dangerous diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, etc.).

CEO Dr. Matthias Eder:

Dr. Eder, born in 1961, is an experienced manager who held various positions in the FMCG and pharmaceutical industry (UNILEVER, CIBA-GEIGY, VIRBAC). His aim for Educell is to establish a worldwide leading enterprise in the field of tissue engineering. The supply of the European market will be accomplished by Educell, other markets in Asia and South America will be furnished by local distribution partners. Dr. Eder: ”The method of ACT developed by Educell can permanently replace defect cartilage in the knee joint and build up intact cartilage.”

Other Projects:

For further information please contact
Educell Zellkultivierung Forschungs- und Entwicklungs GmbH
Magnesitstr. 1, A-3500 Krems
World Wide Web: www.educell.com, www.chondroart.com,
E-Mail: office@educell.at
Telephone: +43-2732-87761-0
Fax: +43-2732-87761-751