Orthogen AG:New Osteoarthritis Therapy Approved in the EU

DÜSSELDORF (Germany) 14th February (PROTEXT) - After thesuccessful completion of clinical studies, the German biotechcompany Orthogen AG (Düsseldorf) intends to build up a Europe-wide distribution of Orthokine. Orthokine is a medical devicefor the production of autologous conditioned serum; containinganti- inflammatory cytokine antagonists and growth factors. Twouniversities performed randomized double-blind studiesdemonstrating its high efficacy and safety in the therapy ofosteoarthritis of the knee and low back pain. Due to itsbeneficial side effect profile, OrthokineŽ therapy represents anefficient alternative to steroids, hyaluronic acids andanalgesics like cox-II inhibitors,, said Prof. Dr. Peter Wehling,CEO of Orthogen, today.

After the build up of the Germany-wide sales in the lastyear, the molecular orthopedics specialist company intends toextend its activities to the EU market. FDA application for thesales in the US market is filed.

Orthogen AG works currently on a novel stem cell technologyfor the regeneration of cartilage from non-embryonic stem cells.First clinical results on humans demonstrate feasibility of themethod. It is intended to replace time-consuming autologouschondrocyte implantation (ACI) by this new procedure.

A new immune-modulatory therapeutic approach for thetreatment of rheumatoid arthritis with so-called exosomes isalso under development. Exosomes are highly efficient anti-inflammatory nano-particles. Clinical studies demonstratedfeasibility and safety of the method. Further clinical studiesare intended to show long-term-efficacy. This method couldbecome a highly efficient and safe alternative to cytokineantagonists produced with recombinant techniques (e.g. Anti-TNF).

Orthogen AG is a biopharmaceutical group of companies whichworks since twelve years in the field of molecular orthopedics.

Contact: Orthogen AG Antje Kassel Public Relations Graf-Adolf-Str. 43 D-40210 Düsseldorf, Germany, Tel.: +49 (0)211-3870076 mobile: +49 173-2402901 Fax: +49 (0)211-3870010 E-mail:akassel@orthogen.com www.orthogen.com

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