Celularity Inc. announced in a preclinical in vivo study of placental extracellular matrix (ECM) product candidate in a joint destructive, acid-derived osteoarthritis (OA) model, a 31%-40% improvement of chondrogenic properties at Day 60 was observed. Additionally, a reduction in the number of pro-inflammatory cytokines at Day 60, including Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), was observed. Celularity plans to complete the required preclinical work on its ECM product candidate over the next several months to support an investigational new drug (IND) application this year for the formation of new cartilage.

Celularity also is conducting preclinical work in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using its placenta-derived exosomes (pEXO). In a rat study, scientifically measurable improvements in chondrogenesis, reduction in pain and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid were observed after injection into the arthritic knee at Day 60. Celularity's initial focus is osteoarthritis of the knee, which accounts for 80% of the total OA burden worldwide according to the World Health Organization.