The new assets will allow Healiva to offer a wide range of low-cost, individualised, end-to-end wound care, including enzyme technology, autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, and medical devices
Healiva acquires two innovative cell therapy assets from Smith+Nephew. (Credit: Jason Taix from Pixabay)
Switzerland-based patient-centric company Healiva has acquired two new cell therapy assets from UK-based medical technology firm Smith+Nephew for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction will enable the Swiss firm to offer a wide range of low-cost, individualised, end-to-end wound care, including enzyme technology, autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, and medical devices.
The first asset, EpiDex, is an autologous epidermal equivalent that treats chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) without surgery.
EpiDex was previously approved for the Swiss market, and Healiva’s acquisition of the product dossier will enable a quick market re-launch.
The second asset, healiva002, is an off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapy that has previously shown clinical success in the treatment of VLUs which resists the traditional treatments.
Healiva founder and CEO Priyanka Dutta-Passecker said: “We created Healiva to improve the lives of the millions suffering from chronic wounds by delivering innovative, effective new treatments to patients.
“These remarkable cell therapies will make a pivotal contribution to that mission by addressing crucial needs in early- and late-stage chronic wound care.
“By adding these pioneering technologies to our growing portfolio of wound treatments, we will be able to continue our rapid growth by progressing to commercialisation within four years of founding.”
Bioseutica Group chairman and Healiva co-founder Valerio Maria Ferrari said: “With 36 million people worldwide currently suffering from chronic wounds, we urgently need novel solutions for hard-to-treat wounds.
“Following this acquisition, we are looking forward to bringing two such solutions to market, beginning with EpiDex in Switzerland, pending approval by Swissmedic, followed by Germany and other EMEA countries.
“Meanwhile, for healiva002, we will improve the product, scale up the manufacturing process, and continue its clinical development for future commercial success at scale.”
Healiva said that patients with diabetes and elderly patients are the potential candidates for these treatments.
The firm develops wound solutions through a multi-pronged approach that combines enzyme technology, medical devices, and cell therapies.