Histogen said today its proprietary multipotent cell conditioned media (CCM) will be marketed by Allergan’s SkinMedica subsidiary within its Regenica® Advanced Rejuvenation System, recently acquired by the drug and medical aesthetics giant.
Histogen’s Multipotent Resignaling Complex (MRCx™) consists of soluble cell-signaling proteins and growth factors designed to support the body’s epidermal stem cells in the renewal of skin throughout life.
Founded in 2007, San Diego-based Histogen develops products based on its own tissue engineering platform, in which proteins and growth factors are produced by cells grown under simulated embryonic conditions.
Those conditions, says Histogen, include very low oxygen (3% to 5%) and suspension, encouraging newborn cells to naturally produce vital proteins and growth factors that are characteristic of young, rapidly developing tissue—and which in turn can direct those cells to become multipotent stem cells in the patient's own body to regenerate new tissue.
Newborn cells from a single-source cell bank are placed into a bioreactor on dextran beads and conditioned with a liquid medium. Through a technology process intended to simulate the embryonic environment, newborn cells are directed to become multipotent and naturally produce the proteins and growth factors.
Histogen says the technology reflects its mission of redefining regenerative medicine by developing products without using embryonic stem cells or animal components.
The company’s two key products are soluble multipotent CCM, large-molecular-weight fraction, designed for skin care and hair growth, and insoluble extracellular matrix (ECM) designed for orthopedics and wound care.
“Histogen has developed a next-generation regenerative cell technology, harnessing the power of growth factors and stem-cell signaling molecules for skin rejuvenation that complements Allergan’s flagship growth factor technology-TNS,” Rahul Mehta, Ph.D., vp, R&D at SkinMedica, an Allergan company, said in a statement.
TNS®—short for Tissue Nutrient Solution—was patented in 2000 and introduced to market a year later as the first topical growth factors solution.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Histogen and leveraging their science to further bolster SkinMedica’s commitment to evidence-based skincare,” Dr. Mehta added.
Regenica was first created at Histogen as a three-product line for antiaging and post-resurfacing, then licensed by Suneva Medical in 2012. The product line has since grown to the current Advanced Rejuvenation System of six products sold worldwide.
Allergan has acquired Regenica for an undisclosed price—nearly five years after buying SkinMedica for $350 million in a deal completed in December 2012.
During the first quarter, SkinMedica racked up $28 million in global net product revenues, up 5.3% from $26.6 million in Q1 2016. SkinMedica finished last year with $108.3 million in global net revenues, up 41.4% from $76.6 million in 2015.
