Full Press Release Details
Clinical Trial Published in the Journal
of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Concludes that
CollPlant's Vergenix STR Effectively Demonstrates Significant
Clinical Improvements in Tennis Elbow
| - | 59% improvement in a key measure in patients with chronic tennis elbow at 6 months after treatment | |
| - | Vergenix STR is currently sold in Europe; CollPlant plans to pursue FDA regulatory approval in U.S. |
Ness Ziona, December 10, 2018, CollPlant
(NASDAQ:CLGN), a regenerative medicine company utilizing its proprietary plant-based rhCollagen technology for tissue repair
products, today announced a clinical trial published regarding its Vergenix STR in the treatment of tennis elbow. The peer
reviewed paper titled, "First clinical experience with a new injectable recombinant human collagen scaffold combined with
autologous platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of lateral epicondylar tendinopathy (tennis elbow)" was published in the
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
An estimated 1% to 3% of the population
has lateral epicondylar tendinopathy, more commonly known as tennis elbow. The condition is characterized by micro tearing and
degeneration of tendons. Current standard of care, which often does not alleviate the condition, includes steroids, physical therapy,
needling, injecting platelet-rich plasma, ultrasound tenotomy, or surgery.
Vergenix STR is an injectable gel
comprised of cross-linked bioengineered recombinant human type I collagen combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Vergenix STR forms a collagen-fibrin matrix that serves as a scaffold for cell recruitment.
The clinical trial, which was concluded
in August 2016, enrolled 40 patients and evaluated three key measures of tennis elbow at 6 months post-treatment. The mean Patient-Rated
Tennis Elbow Evaluation score showed a 59% improvement (reduction) from baseline at 6 months. Grip strength increased by 28% from
28.8 kg at baseline to 36.8 kg at 6 months. In 68% of patients, improvements in sonographic tendon appearance were evident. No
systemic or local severe adverse events were reported.
"Based on the very favorable data
reported, this study concluded that Vergenix STR demonstrated significant clinical improvements in patients with tennis elbow.
Vergenix STR offers a unique, and effective method to treat a wide range of tendinopathies with just a single application
to initiate the healing process," stated Yehiel Tal, CollPlant's Chief Executive Officer. "In the U.S. market
alone, there are estimated to be over 3 million procedures annually to treat tendinopathy. We look forward to advancing Vergenix STR
through the FDA approval process and into commercialization in the U.S."
Vergenix STR has a CE mark and is
currently sold in Europe. CollPlant plans to conduct a pre-submission meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the
Vergenix STR is primarily made of
crosslinked recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) and is intended to be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a concentrated
blood plasma derived from the patient's own blood that contains high levels of platelets, which are critical to the healing
process. Platelets contain growth factors which are responsible for stimulating tissue generation and repair, including soft tissue
repair, bone regeneration, development of new blood vessels, and stimulation of the healing process. Upon administration, CollPlant's
Vergenix STR serves as a scaffold to support cell adhesion and proliferation involved in tendon healing, while maintaining
growth factor-containing PRP in the vicinity of the injury. After injection into the affected area, the product forms a viscous
gel matrix, holding the platelet concentrate in place. The formed matrix then has the ability to release growth factors in a controlled
manner and with controlled biodegradation time, thereby enabling optimal healing.
CollPlant is a regenerative medicine company
focused on 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, and on developing and commercializing tissue repair products for orthobiologics,
and advanced wound care markets. Our products are based on our rhCollagen (recombinant human collagen) that is produced with CollPlant's
proprietary plant based genetic engineering technology.
Our products address indications for diverse
fields of organ and tissue repair, and are ushering in a new era in regenerative medicine. Our flagship rhCollagen BioInk product
line is ideal for 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, and our unique Vergenix line of rhCollagen products includes a soft tissue
repair matrix for treating tendinopathy and a wound repair matrix to promote a rapid optimal healing of acute and chronic wounds.
For more information about CollPlant, visit
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release may include forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to CollPlant's objectives
plans and strategies, as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that
CollPlant intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized
by terminology such as "believes," "hopes," "may," "anticipates," "should,"
"intends," "plans," "will," "expects," "estimates," "projects,"
"positioned," "strategy" and similar expressions and are based on assumptions and assessments made in light
of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other
factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Many
factors could cause CollPlant's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated
in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's history of significant losses
and its need to raise additional capital and its inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; the Company's
expectations regarding the timing and cost of commencing clinical trials with respect to tissues and organs which are based on
its rhCollagen based BioInk, VergenixSTR, and VergenixFG; the Company's ability to obtain favorable pre-clinical and clinical
trial results; regulatory action with respect to rhCollagen based BioInk, VergenixSTR, and VergenixFG including but not limited
to acceptance of an application for marketing authorization, review and approval of such application, and, if approved, the scope
of the approved indication and labeling; commercial success and market acceptance of the Company's rhCollagen based BioInk,
VergenixSTR, and VergenixFG; the Company's ability to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements
with third parties and its reliance on third party distributors and resellers; the Company's ability to establish and maintain
strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the Company's reliance on third parties to conduct some or all
aspects of its product manufacturing; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights
and the Company's ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; the overall
global economic environment; the impact of competition and new technologies; general market, political, and economic conditions
in the countries in which the Company operates; projected capital expenditures and liquidity; changes in the Company's strategy;
and litigation and regulatory proceedings. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting CollPlant is contained
under the heading "Risk Factors" included in CollPlant's most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the
SEC, and in other filings that CollPlant has made and may make with the SEC in the future. The forward-looking statements contained
in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and reflect CollPlant's current views with respect to
future events, and CollPlant does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
| Contact at CollPlant: |
| Eran Rotem |
| Deputy CEO & CFO |
| Tel: + 972-73-2325600- 0 |
| Email: Eran@collplant.com |