Synergene to commercialise collagen cell replacement

SYNERGENE Biotechnology Group recently announced on the Australian Stock Exchange that it has entered into a heads of agreement with an Australian listed company, Genesis Biomedical Ltd. The two companies intend to commercialise technologies and business ventures surrounding collagen cell replacement technology (CCR) and cryogenic cord blood banking (CCB).

The commercialisation of the CCR and CCB technologies will involve the design and commissioning of a laboratory in mainland Greece.

Mamie Pace, co-founder of the Synergene Biotechnology Group, said: "The commercial enterprise that will be established by this agreement will look to capitalise upon these emerging, yet rapidly growing markets, and leverage off established sales channels that include medical product retailers, professionals and institutions throughout the EU and Middle East.

CCR is an emerging alternative cosmetic procedure by which individuals can have facial lines or wrinkles in their skin reduced. Unlike alternative treatments, CCR is based on using a person's own naturally occurring collagen in the treatment of lines and wrinkles instead of a synthetic material."

CCR starts with a simple biopsy procedure to take a small piece of skin tissue from behind the ear which is sent to a laboratory where the collagen-producing skin cells are cultured and stimulated to divide to produce tens of millions of new collagen cells.

After a six-week period the cells are sent back to the treating physician where the patient receives a series of therapeutic injections of the cells that have been cultured.

Typically, patients see a gradual improved appearance over a three- to four-week period. Unlike synthetic alternative treatments, this therapy, by using a person's own collagen, can last for more than three years.

Cord blood is human blood that is extracted from the umbilical cord and/or the placenta which remains as a process of childbirth. Cord blood is rich with stem cells, which are the building blocks of blood and im-mune systems in the human body. Cord blood banking involves the long-term storage of this blood under strict conditions.

Dr Niina Pirinen, chief scientist for Synergene Malta, explained: "Cord blood can be used as part of the treatment therapy in some illnesses such as leukaemia and immune and genetic disorders. Of course, families that bank their baby's cord blood do so for potential future use should the individual contract one of these illnesses in later life. There is a growing interest in this service in Europe as the science develops, and we are therefore glad to be part of this international project."

Synergene is a biotechnology company with operations that in-clude the provision of DNA forensic services, genetic identification services and know-how, and research for target gene discovery.

Synergene obtained its international ISO 17025 accreditation in July 2005.