Vanarix SA

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and feasibility of implanting allogeneic cartilage mini-grafts (or allogenic Cartibeads) into cartilage defects in the knee.
Allogeneic Cartibeads are engineered from allogeneic articular chondrocytes (from a donor's cartilage cells). The donor, who in 2022 participated in the Autologous Cartibeads clinical trial (Swissmedic ID 701146), consented to use his leftover cells for production of mini-grafts for other patients in this study. Our patented, standardized methodology allows production of bead-shaped mini-grafts (Allogeneic Cartibeads). These grafts are 1 to 2 mm in diameter and have similar characteristics to native hyaline cartilage.
Allogeneic Cartibeads are implanted into the patient's cartilage defect. Patients are then followed for 6 months for assessment of study endpoints, with safety being the primary outcome.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and feasibility of implanting autologous cartilage mini-grafts (or Cartibeads) into cartilage defects in the knee and ankle.
Cartibeads are engineered from autologous articular chondrocytes (from the patient's own cartilage cells). A small cartilage biopsy (
50 to 150 mg according to lesion size to be treated) is collected from a minimal weight bearing zone of the patient's articulation. Chondrocytes are extracted from the biopsy and expanded in culture. Our patented, standardized methodology then allows expanded cells to recover their capacity of producing hyaline matrix and to form cartilage mini-grafts (Cartibeads). These grafts are beads of 1 to 2 mm in diameter and have similar characteristics to native hyaline cartilage.
Autologous Cartibeads are implanted into the patient's cartilage defect. Patients are then followed for 12 months for assessment of study endpoints, with safety being the primary outcome.