Bioventus Placental Tissue Research – A Closer Look
On Tuesday, Bioventus announced the publishing of a study that shows a placental tissue biologic candidate, PTP-001, inhibited inflammatory and catabolic responses in vitro, and significantly reduced pain and cartilage degeneration in a rat osteoarthritis model. The leading journal in the field, Osteoarthritis & Cartilage, accepted this study for publication, which was coauthored by 10 individuals including Carl Flannery, Scott Seaman, Kelly Buddin and Alessandra Pavesio of Bioventus. Other authors included members of the R&D team at MTF Biologics, and results from studies conducted with co-author Dr. Richard Loeser, Director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at UNC Chapel Hill, are included in the publication.
This was not the end of the story, as we seek to further develop and ultimately register PTP-001 (trade name MOTYS) for patients with OA and so we caught up with Carl with some deeper questions to learn more.
Q: What comes next for work on PTP-001?
A: We are working with Dr. Lisa Fortier, Professor of Surgery at Cornell University, to conduct preclinical studies in a larger animal pig OA model. As indicated in our feedback from the FDA, such studies will provide additional informative data regarding in vivo activity and persistence.
Q: Who else is working with you on this research?
A: We are also working with Dr. Fortier to perform comparative preclinical studies for PTP-001 versus a commonly used biologic, PRP (platelet rich plasma), which is an autologous treatment (prepared from the patient’s own blood). Her lab will be utilizing human donor cartilage and synovium (provided by MTF Biologics) to assess the effects of PTP-001 or PRP in a model cellular co-culture system designed to mimic potential inflammatory and degradative processes which may occur in OA joints.
Q: Are you doing this work in the lab in Durham?
A: In the lab in Durham, Senior Scientist Scott Seaman and Scientist Kelly Buddin have already performed some additional characterization work comparing PTP-001 versus platelet rich plasma (PRP). The goal is to determine and differentiate the relative amounts and consistency of growth factor levels, and the relative effects in preclinical cell culture systems that assess potential anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic, and pro-anabolic effects.
Q: Apart from OA, what other disease or musculoskeletal conditions will you research?
A: PTP-001 has shown very promising results in a rat model of tendinitis, by significantly reducing pain and displaying evidence of tissue protection. We currently have an ongoing study with Professor Robert Mauck and Dr. Sarah Gullbrand at the University of Pennsylvania to explore the effects of PTP-001 in a rabbit model of degenerative disc disease. We have also initiated discussions with Dr. Lou Soslowsky, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Penn, to determine an appropriate model of rotator cuff injury in which to test PTP-001.
Q: Do you expect to submit and/or publish additional research?
A: Our goal will be to submit the above-mentioned research, both as conference abstracts, as well as full publications, as the studies are completed.
Q: How does this work contribute to getting PTP-001 approved for use with patients?
A: The preclinical work described in the publication was incorporated into our successful investigational new drug (IND) filing for PTP-001. Additional work (including an ongoing repeat dosing toxicology study in rabbits) will also support future regulatory filings, both for the OA indication, as well as other potential musculoskeletal disorders.