Hapto-Biotech, an Israeli start-up company, and New York-based Ortec International Inc., have joined forces to develop a bandage capable of healing wounds and regenerating tissue, using a unique combination of peptides and collagen. The new technology could also have an important impact on orthopedic and dental procedures, as well as for the cosmetics industry.
The active peptides were developed by Hapto, a start-up company established by Hadasit Medical Research and Development Ltd., the commercial subsidiary of the Hadassah Medical Organization; the collagen-based biomaterial was developed by Ortec. The Hapto-Ortec collaboration is the second stage of a joint research project the two companies began in 2002, the results of which produced the potential for the biotech bandage.
“This joint venture is an important landmark in our company's development plan,” said Ira Weinstein, Hapto-Biotech CEO. “I am confident that during the next 24 months, we will make significant progress in the development of the biotech bandage, which will move us even further ahead,” he said, anticipating positive results from clinical trials on humans. Haptide TM., Hapto's core technology, utilizes proprietary synthetic peptides that mimic the mechanism of cell attachment to fibrin. It was developed by Dr. Raphael Gorodesky of Hadassah and Dr. Gerard Marx of Hapto.
Ron Lipstein,Vice President and CEO of Ortec expressed his satisfaction that “our initial joint research with Hapto, resulted in a product concept which may have application to a number of significant markets. While we remain very focused on commercializing our lead product, Or-cell, being able to leverage our core technology to generate other licensing opportunities applicable to other markets, is consistent with our business plan and one which can be value enhancing for Ortec.", we are gratified that our core technology affords us opportunities in other areas that can also be profitable.”
About HAPTO Biotech
HAPTO Biotech is positioning itself to become a leading technology provider in the field of tissue engineering through the development of fibrin derived platform technologies. HAPTO BIOTECH Inc, a Delaware Incorporated company was established in 200 and its wholly owned subsidiary, Hapto Biotech (Israel) Ltd., was established on order to conduct its R&D operations. HAPTO's platform technology, Haptides TM, utilizes propriety synthetic peptides that mimic the mechanism of cell attachment to fibrin. These haptotactic peptides are used to enhance cell attraction and proliferation providing additional solutions in fields such as wound healing and skin regeneration, orthopedics, cell immunotherapy and potentially, drug delivery. The Haptide technology license was obtained from the Hadasit Medical Research Services and Development Ltd., the commercial arm of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, Israel and was developed by Dr. Raphael Gorodesky and Gerard Marx. For more information, visit HAPTO's website at: www.hapto.co.il
About Ortec International, Inc.
Ortec International, Inc., (ORTN), is a tissue-engineering company involved in the commercialization of a proprietary and patented technology to stimulate the repair and regeneration of human tissue. Ortec's current focus is the application of its Orcel (Bilayered Cellular Matrix) to heal chronic and acute wounds. Orcel is composed of a collagen sponge seeded with allogeneic epidermal and dermal cell. These cells secrete growth factors and cytokines normally found in acute human wounds are believed to have a beneficial role in promoting tissue repair. In addition to having received FDA approvals for the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa and donor sites in burn patients, a pivotal clinical trial has been completed for venous ulcers, and PMA has been filed. In addition, the FDA has granted Ortec approval to initiate a pivotal trial in diabetic foot alcers. Ortec believes that its platform technology may extend to the regeneration of other human tissues sucha tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, muscle and blood vessels. For more information, visit Ortec's website at www.ortecinternational.com.
About Hadasit
Hadasit was established as a subsidiary and the technology transfer company of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem, Israel for the purpose of promoting and commercializing its continuously generated intellectual property and R&D capabilities, aimed at finding solutions to problems faced by modern medicine. For more information, visit Hadasit's website at www.hadasit.co.il.
For further information:
Ira Weinstein, Director General, Hapto: 972-54-4968613
Dr. Rafi Hofstein, Director General, Hadasit: 972-50-7280117