TIDMWDC
RNS Number : 8167L
WideCells Group PLC
24 July 2017
24 July 2017
WideCells Group PLC ('WideCells Group' or 'the Group')
New product offering to target the dental market
WideCells Group PLC, the healthcare services company focused on
regenerative medicine, including the provision of stem cell
services and ground-breaking insurance for stem cell treatment, is
delighted to become a licenced provider of INDUS, a novel synthetic
bone graft which promotes new bone formation. The Group intends to
start selling this new product in the UK in the coming months,
initially targeting the dental industry, with potential for further
roll out internationally.
In line with the Group's strategy to support the uptake of
innovative, regenerative medicine technology, WideCells Group,
through its fully owned subsidiary WideCells Ltd ('WideCells'), has
secured a licence agreement with Medbone(R) - Medical Devices Lda
('Medbone'), which has developed and manufactures INDUS. The
product has just received CE Marking, meaning it complies with the
essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and
environmental protection legislation, meaning that it is approved
for sale across Europe. Whilst the Group will initially target the
UK market, WideCells hope to expand its service offering globally
in time.
Alongside offering INDUS to clients in the UK, the Group intends
to undertake research in the future at its Institute of Stem Cell
Technology in Manchester, England, to examine the potential of
using stem cells alongside synthetic bone graft treatments to
accelerate the new bone formation process. Initial studies
undertaken to date have shown promising results that when bone
grafts and stem cells are used together the recovery process may be
greatly improved.
There are two primary INDUS products, which WideCells will offer
alongside its range of complementary stem cell services:
-- INDUS TCP, a porous synthetic ceramic containing tricalcium
phosphate, designed for the filling of bone voids or defects. The
interconnected porosity allows partial or total resorption so that
it is replaced by new bone during healing.
-- INDUS BCP, a porous synthetic ceramic, containing 75%
hydroxyapatite and 25% tricalcium phosphate, designed for the
filling of bone defects. The biphasic composition enhances the
ceramic substitution in a two-phase process allowing an optimal
resorption rate compatible with the bone physiology.
Current applications of INDUS primarily relate to the dental
market; uses include filling extraction cavities, sinus floor
elevation, alveolar (bony socket for the root of a tooth) filling,
augmentation and regeneration, dental implants and the
reconstruction of tumour voids and cyst defects. There is however
significant potential for use within orthopaedic surgeries, which
WideCells intends to explore in due course as the benefits of using
INDUS are significant for both healthcare professionals and
patients; there is an unlimited supply; there is no risk of
transmitting disease, rejection or infection; the product has a
long-life span, and; surgery time for fitting is reduced compared
to alternative bone graft products currently being used.
WideCells Group CEO, João Andrade, said, "At WideCells our
vision is to provide regenerative therapy that promotes the next
stages of medical development. We have had great success to date in
making stem cell treatments more accessible and affordable globally
and whilst this remains our primary focus, having recognised
significant, complementary growth opportunities within the dental
industry, we are delighted to add a new product offering and
revenue stream to our portfolio.
"Supporting our progression into the dental industry is our
non-executive director Dr. Marilyn Orcharton, a qualified dentist
who has received a medal of Honour from the British Dental
Association and co-founded Denplan Limited, the UK's market leader
in dental insurance. Marilyn's established network and experience
will be invaluable in helping us build this new and emerging
revenue stream. Now is an incredibly exciting time to be in
regenerative therapy."
WideCells Group CSO, Dr Peter Hollands, said, "INDUS is the next
generation in bone material; it is the most advanced regenerative
synthetic bone material in the market and has already been
clinically proven to offer a number of advantages compared to
current bone graft products being used. Furthermore, with the
potential for stem cell technologies to advance this product
further, we believe INDUS is set to become the number one choice
for dental healthcare professionals."
**ENDS**
For further information, please visit the Company's website
www.widecellsgroup.com, follow us on Twitter @WideCells_Group or
contact:
WideCells Group CEO - João Andrade Tel: +351 919
033 171
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Smaller Company Broker - Jeremy Woodgate Tel: +44 (0)
Capital Ltd & Rupert Williams 20 3651 2912
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Shard Capital Broker - Damon Heath Tel: +44 (0)
Partners LLP & Erik Woolgar 207 186 9950
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St Brides Partners PR - Charlotte Page Tel: +44 (0)
Ltd & Olivia Vita 20 7236 1177
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Notes to Editors
WideCells Group PLC is building an integrated stem cell services
company, focused on making stem cell treatments accessible and
affordable. In June 2017, the Group was ranked as the 21st most
disruptive company globally by DISRUPT 100, an annual index
celebrating the businesses with the most potential to influence,
change or create new global markets.
With this in mind, it has created three divisions:
-- CellPlan: the world's first stem cell healthcare insurance
plan with financial cover for medical treatment, travel and
accommodation expenses and concierge service to manage the
treatment process
-- WideCells: the Institute of Stem Cell Technology has been
established and is based in the University of Manchester Innovation
Centre to focus on stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
WideCells also has international cryogenics divisions specialising
in stem cell storage.
-- WideAcademy: developing an education and training division to
promote awareness of the benefits of stem cell storage across the
global general practice community.
The Group has built an experienced senior management team that
has been integral to the development of its growth and business to
date.
Stem Cell Fast Facts:
-- Cord blood (which is taken from the umbilical cord) provides
the most effective source of stem cells for families due to it
being simple, safe and painless to collect relative to other
sources of stem cells such as bone marrow - WideCells will focus on
promoting the collection and storage of this.
-- Since 2005, there has been a 300% increase in the number of
illnesses that can be treated using stem cells
-- 82 illnesses can currently be treated using stem cell procedures
-- Despite initial storage often costing no more than a few
GBPthousand, actual treatment can cost in the GBPhundreds of
thousands
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014
(MAR).
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
PRLPGUWCMUPMGMG
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