Regenerative medicine company Orthocell (ASX:OCC) has recruited and treated its first patient in a randomised, controlled clinical trial of Ortho-ATI versus corticosteroid injection, for the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy and tear in the shoulder.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy and tear, which manifests as severe shoulder pain, is a common and often difficult injury to treat and affects more than 50 per cent of adults over 50 years of age.
Rotator cuff injuries may lead to considerable disability, reduced quality of life, and absenteeism from work, and are a significant burden on healthcare resources.
According to the company, the objective of the clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of Autologous Tenocyte Injection (Ortho-ATI) compared to corticosteroid injection in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy and tear.
To be eligible for the trial, patients must have failed previous conservative treatment options, including previous injection treatment and physiotherapy.
The trial will be led by Clinical Professor Allan Wang, president of the Australian Elbow and Shoulder Society, Clinical associate Professor Bill Breidahl and Professor Ming Hao Zheng at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
“Demonstrating the efficacy of Ortho-ATI for the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy is an important element of our product development and partnering strategy. We expect results to show Ortho-ATI is a durable and effective treatment for degenerate shoulder injuries,” said Orthocell managing director, Paul Anderson.