Regenerative medicine company Orthocell has announced plans to collaborate with DePuy Synthes Products, part of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) family of companies, for its Ortho-ATI stem-cell approach.

The approach is meant for the regeneration of degenerate tendons and ligaments, and the collaboration has been facilitated by J&J.

Orthocell’s portfolio of products includes TGA-licensed autologous cell therapies, autologous tenocyte implantation (Ortho-ATI) and autologous chondrocyte implantation (Ortho-ACI).

Chronic treatment resistant tendon injuries that have a negative effect on the activities of patients’ daily living are treated using the new non-surgical approach Ortho-ATI.

Orthocell managing director Paul Anderson said: "This is a very exciting partnership in the continued development of Ortho-ATI and provides significant external validation of this globally relevant technology."

A collaborative study is planned to start in the first quarter of this year and will be a multi-centre trial conducted with Australia’s orthopaedic surgeon.

University of Western Australia orthopaedic surgeon professor and the Shoulder and Elbow Society of Australia (SESA) president Allan Wang will lead the trial.

To date, several studies carried out by Orthocell found that Ortho-ATI is a durable, non-surgical solution for difficult-to-treat tendon injuries.

At present, it is available in Australia and New Zealand for patients who have failed conservative treatment options such as corticosteroid injections and exercise programmes, and who also have ongoing symptoms.