Collplant

History

Based in Israel, CollPlant was founded in 2004. CollPlant’s rhCollagen was first developed as a collaboration among several commercial partners and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, under the direction of Professor Oded Shoseyov.

In 2012, CollPlant was ISO 13485 certified by DEKRA (European Union Notified Body) for the design, development and manufacturing of its tissue repair products and was subsequently certified in 2019 for the manufacturing and purification of its rhCollagen.

In 2016, the company created a division that focuses on the development of collagen-based biological inks (“BioInk”) for use in 3D printers to produce organs and tissues using various printing technologies. In the same year, CollPlant  received CE Mark for two products, one product  for the management of chronic and acute wounds  and a second product for treatment of  tendinopathy.

In 2017, the company filed a patent application in the United States for its Bioink for 3D printing of tissues and organs.

In 2020, CollPlant  entered into a product manufacturing and supply agreement with STEMCELL, to incorporate the rhCollagen into cell culture media kits.
In 2021, CollPlant entered into a worldwide exclusive development and commercialization agreement for dermal and soft tissue filler products with Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company. Later that year, the company signed a co-development agreement with 3D systems for a 3D bioprinted regenerative soft tissue matrix for use in breast reconstruction procedures in combination with an implant.

Technology

CollPlant’s developments are based on its rhCollagen (recombinant human collagen) technology, which is identical to the type I collagen produced by the human body. The tobacco plant was selected as the host for collagen synthesis for three main reasons: the well-known tobacco genome facilitates manipulation; tobacco is not part of the food and feed chain; and the large biomass leaves can be harvested after  6–8 weeks and through three growing cycles.The rhCollagen is mass produced from tobacco plants that have been genetically engineered to express five human genes.

Products

CollPlant’s rhCollagen is the basis of the company’s BioInk, which is used for 3D bioprinting of human organs and tissues. To produce a BioInk, CollPlant begins by chemically modifying rhCollagen so that it undergoes crosslinking when exposed to light. Next, polymers are added to mimic the target tissues physical properties. Finally, biological constituents make each BioInk biologically tissue specific.

In addition, the company is also developing dermal fillers composed of rhCollagen and other substances that upon illumination with a flashlight, will enable post-injection skin sculpting.  The product is intended to  be degraded and a newly formed tissue will be expected to regenerate in its place.
CollPlant’s additional pipeline products include 3D bioprinted regenerative breast implants as well as an injectable implant to address breast-shaping applications. These implants are intended to promote breast tissue regeneration. The implant is designed to be ultimately degraded and be replaced by newly grown natural breast tissue.  CollPlant’s product portfolio  also include a soft tissue repair matrix for treating tendinopathy and a wound repair matrix to promote healing of acute and chronic wounds.