Geistlich Pharma AG has developed a medical product made from 3D-printed collagen to treat meniscus injuries, further details of which can be found in a press release. Work is currently being carried out across Europe on a novel biomaterial for the regeneration of meniscus damage. Geistlich Pharma, based in Wolhusen in the canton of Lucerne, is responsible for coordinating the MEFISTO research and innovation project, an association of 13 international partners from the worlds of industry and science that is being supported by the European Union (EU).
MEFISTO aims to offer patients an alternative following meniscus loss to mitigate the increased risk of osteoarthritis. The Geistlich researchers are working with medical grade collagen fibers, which are then mixed with particles of polymers and peptides filled with active ingredients and factors.
According to the press release, 3D-printed collagen will open up completely new opportunities for medical regeneration. “We're acquiring a new set of tools to advance patient-specific tissue regeneration”, comments Niklaus Stiefel, Principal Scientist at Geistlich.
Carla Zihlmann, Product Development Engineer at Geistlich, explains the mechanism of action of the collagen product manufactured by way of a 3D printing process: “These agents and factors release growth factors in the outer zone of the meniscus near the capsule, which stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, for example. In the inner zone of the meniscus, however, this process is inhibited by the release of factors that prevent vascularization”.
Geistlich Pharma is headquartered in the canton of Lucerne and forms part of Geistlich Holding, which is based in Schlieren in the canton of Zurich.
