A New Way to Heal with Cutting-edge Biological Cartilage Repair 

The Challenge

The absence of direct vascular supply to joint cartilage makes it difficult for the body to repair damage to this connective tissue. Consequently, joint cartilage injuries are often slow to heal and lead to significant mobility issues.
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Although implants today boast a high rate of surgical success, the limited 15- to 30-year lifespan of the synthetic biomaterials used in conventional implants means patients may later need revision surgery – a procedure that’s invasive and often high risk. As a result, it has become common practice to delay the first surgical implantation to minimize the risk of a future revision procedure. Unfortunately, this also delays the ability of patients to regain lost mobility and to overcome persistent pain.

The Game Changer

​​Through its acquisition of Germany-based TETEC AG, Octane brought into its innovation portfolio a cutting-edge matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implant called Novocart, which uses the body’s own cells to trigger healing of damaged cartilage. Engineered with smart biomaterials and biological properties developed specifically for cartilage cell implantation, this living implant has significant advantages over traditional implants formed of metals and polymers. The most notable advantage: the ability to integrate into the implantation site and progressively perform the biological role of the damaged tissue. This vital feature provides for a biological repair where all the original options for surgical intervention remain and are perhaps never required for the lifetime of the patient. The risk of biological rejection may also be minimized because the living implant is created with cells obtained from the patient.
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Novocart is currently available in two formats: Novocart 3D, a collagen-based matrix scaffold seeded with cartilage cells, and Novocart Inject, an injectable mixture of cartilage cells and PEG-albumin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel.

The Octane + TETEC partnership opens up an opportunity to use Octane’s Cocoon bioreactor to automate and scale manufacturing of Novocart, which is currently produced using manual methods. Our long-term vision is to bring these living tissue implants into clinical use on a global scale.

The Impact

As of early 2024, about 24,000 Novocart 3D and 6,000 Novocart Inject implants have positively changed the lives of patients in Germany and Switzerland. Octane looks forward to automating the production of Novocart and making it available to more patients around the world.