Collaboration between Rheacell and AOP Health: groundbreaking alliance aimed at providing innovative treatments for the "Butterfly Children's Disease" and persistent venous ulcers
In a significant move aimed at addressing high unmet medical needs, RHEACELL, a German biotech company specializing in stem cell therapies, and AOP Health, a Europe-based leader in integrated therapies for rare diseases and intensive care, have formed a strategic alliance. This partnership is focused on developing and delivering breakthrough cell therapies for patients with Epidermolyses Bullosa (EB) and chronic venous ulcers [1][2][3].
The collaboration seeks to commercialize RHEACELL's therapies, including Ebesanar and Amesanar, targeting recessive dystrophic EB and chronic venous wounds. This alliance offers new therapeutic options for these often debilitating and hard-to-treat diseases [5].
RHEACELL's cell therapy is based on a specific type of cells, known as ABCB5+ mesenchymal stromal cells, which possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This cell therapy is administered systemically and can stimulate both internal and external wound healing by restoring the normal physiological function of affected tissues [4].
Notably, RHEACELL's cell therapy is only the second stromal cell product to receive national marketing authorization from the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany for the treatment of therapy-resistant, chronic venous wounds ("leg ulcers") on the basis of positive phase 2 clinical trial data [6].
Dr. Martin Steinhart, CEO of AOP Health, stated that this partnership enables them to jointly bring new treatment options to patients living with chronic venous wounds or Epidermolysis bullosa, who currently have limited or no treatment options [7]. AOP Health, with 30 years of experience and a growing presence in more than 50 countries, will provide the expertise needed to make RHEACELL's cell therapies available not only in Europe, but also in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Israel [8].
EB is a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 500,000 people worldwide, causing skin fragility and painful chronic wounds. The AOP Health Group operates worldwide through subsidiaries, representations, and a strong network of partners, with the claim "Needs. Science. Trust." emphasizing its commitment to research and development, as well as building relationships with physicians and patient advocacy groups [9].
DEBRA, a patient organization founded in 1995, supports people living with EB by facilitating exchange and providing support. DEBRA Austria operates the EB-Haus Austria, a center of excellence for Epidermolysis bullosa and the world's first specialized clinic for "butterfly children" [10].
This alliance has the potential to transform patient outcomes by providing novel regenerative cell therapies, addressing the significant challenges faced by those suffering from EB and chronic venous wounds. Both conditions currently have limited treatment options, severely impacting the lives of patients and their families.
Two Phase 3 clinical trials are currently underway for RHEACELL's cell therapy, and a first EMA submission is expected in 2026 [1][2]. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the development of innovative treatments for these underserved patient populations.
References: [1] RHEACELL and AOP Health Form Strategic Alliance. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rheacell.com/news/rheacell-and-aop-health-form-strategic-alliance [2] AOP Health and RHEACELL Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Cell Therapies for Rare Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aophealth.com/en/news/aop-health-and-rheacell-announce-strategic-alliance-to-develop-cell-therapies-for-rare-diseases/ [3] RHEACELL's Cell Therapy for Chronic Venous Ulcers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rheacell.com/therapies/mesenchymal-stromal-cells/chronic-venous-ulcers [4] RHEACELL's Cell Therapy for Epidermolysis Bullosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rheacell.com/therapies/mesenchymal-stromal-cells/epidermolysis-bullosa [5] AOP Health and RHEACELL Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Cell Therapies for Rare Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aophealth.com/en/news/aop-health-and-rheacell-announce-strategic-alliance-to-develop-cell-therapies-for-rare-diseases/ [6] RHEACELL's Cell Therapy for Chronic Venous Ulcers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rheacell.com/therapies/mesenchymal-stromal-cells/chronic-venous-ulcers [7] AOP Health and RHEACELL Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Cell Therapies for Rare Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aophealth.com/en/news/aop-health-and-rheacell-announce-strategic-alliance-to-develop-cell-therapies-for-rare-diseases/ [8] AOP Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aophealth.com/en/about-us [9] DEBRA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.debra.org.uk/ [10] EB-Haus Austria. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.eb-haus.at/
- The strategic alliance between RHEACELL, a German biotech company specializing in stem cell therapies, and AOP Health, a Europe-based leader in integrated therapies for rare diseases and intensive care, is focusing on developing and delivering cell therapies for patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and chronic venous ulcers.
- This partnership, which includes the commercialization of RHEACELL's therapies Ebesanar and Amesanar, offers new therapeutic options for those suffering from hard-to-treat diseases like EB and chronic venous wounds.
- RHEACELL's cell therapy, based on ABCB5+ mesenchymal stromal cells, possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that can stimulate internal and external wound healing, restoring the normal physiological function of affected tissues.
- The alliance aims to transform patient outcomes, particularly for those living with EB and chronic venous wounds, by providing novel regenerative cell therapies, as these conditions currently have limited treatment options, significantly impacting patients' lives.
