Trzin, Slovenia (EU), Lutry (Switzerland, CH), 13th March 2020. Medical Biobank Swiss Institute SA (MBSI) and Educell (www.educell.si) are informing that the technology ImmunoARTTM has the potential to significantly reduce ARDS and other complications caused by COVID19.
Educell was established in 1997 and has the longest experience in autologous cartilage repair and second longest follow up of patients treated with ACI (autologous chondrocyte implantation) for deep osteochondral defects (ChondroART TM). Educell has used experimental therapies for regenerative (starting in 2007) and immunomodulatory (beginning in 2014) applications. More than 500 patients have been successfully treated using their own (autologous) or donated (allogeneic) cells by haematologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists and orthopaedic and plastic surgeons using advanced therapy medicinal products. Educell is acting as an R&D laboratory developing new procedures using cells as a drug.
The technology ImmunoARTTM is based on cultivated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) which are capable to modulate the immune response in the body. MSCs have been already proven to successfully treat GvHD (graft versus host disease) – a severe adverse event related with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Educell has developed technology based on stimulated peripheral blood or donated cord- derived MSC. Freshly prepared or cryopreserved ImmunoArtTM have successfully reduced GvHD in several patients. The data from recent pandemic COVID19 and epidemic Influenza A (H7N9) in China are supporting the clinical use of MSCs to modulate the over-reactive immune system. Educell and its partners are prepared to put all efforts to help critically ill patients specially in most critical areas to reduce the mortality and morbidity due to COVID19.