Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EmboSure (Disruptive, drug free treatment of knee osteoarthritis using novel materials and minimally invasive catheter delivery)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-05-01 do 2024-11-30
Existing therapeutic approaches for KOA have proven inadequate in providing long-term relief. Alarmingly, the overwhelming majority of patients will inevitably experience treatment failure, necessitating invasive surgical interventions such as knee replacement for approximately two-thirds of individuals. Given the chronic nature of the disease, the absence of efficacious treatments, and the consequent impact on patient mobility and well-being, the economic burden of KOA is staggering, accounting for a substantial 1.5% of the global GDP.
Through research and engineering, CrannMed has developed SakuraBead resorbable microspheres that are precisely delivered using a specialised microcatheter directly to the inflamed region within the knee. SakuraBead's effectiveness initiates targeted short-term embolisation, reducing pain levels and restoring optimal well-being. It uniquely addresses the growing patient preference for no residual foreign objects within their bodies. SakuraBead also ensures that future medical treatments of the knee are not compromised due to permanent foreign objects remaining in situ.
CrannMed has demonstrated efficacy through rigorous pre-clinical testing. This notable achievement has been made possible through the establishment and validation of a state-of-the-art class 8 cleanroom within the CrannMed facility. With the critical infrastructure in place, the team is now poised to embark on the crucial phases of clinical evaluation and commercialisation. The vision is to establish SakuraBead as the gold standard for KOA treatment, surpassing traditional pharmaceutical-based therapies. Through comprehensive evaluation, CrannMed aims to demonstrate SakuraBead's effectiveness, secure regulatory approvals, and make it widely accessible to patients, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes.
Through rigorous bench-testing and pre-clinical trials, CrannMed has acquired confidence in the efficacy and reliability of this technology. The resorbable embolisation capabilities of the microspheres have been conclusively demonstrated, showcasing their ability to perform the intended function with precision and efficacy. Most notably, once their purpose is fulfilled, these microspheres naturally dissolve, ensuring a clean and traceless conclusion to the treatment process.
To facilitate the development and commercialisation of this transformative technology, CrannMed has established an advanced class 8 cleanroom facility on-site. This state-of-the-art cleanroom plays a crucial role in the future manufacturing process, allowing the team to produce microsphere builds necessary for design verification and validation testing. CrannMed has established a high-volume manufacturing process and qualified a packaging concept which preserves the efficacy of the product. Due to the innovative resorbable nature of the SakuraBead product, customised test methods were developed so that performance in the patient could be predicted on the bench. Through scientific and engineering expertise this has been successfully accomplished. Design testing for SakuraBead is now complete that demonstrates its effectiveness, safety, and readiness for human evaluation. By collaborating with a renowned Clinical Research Organization (CRO), CrannMed is progressing towards clinical trials, prioritising medical science and patient outcomes. CrannMed has established a Quality Management System that supports the international regulatory requirements for clinical studies and commercialisation
Simultaneously, efforts are underway to establish the on-label use of SakuraBead in Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) procedures in the US. Regulatory approval in the US and pursuing the EU CE mark will expand its availability globally. Comprehensive international patent applications have been filed to protect the technology and manufacturing process, ensuring exclusivity, and promoting innovation.