Regenerative Medicine & Tissue Engineering

Tempo Therapeutics has closed an oversubscribed $14.5 million financing round led by Galaxy Sirius Partners, with participation from Johnson & Johnson through Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc., Gideon Strategic Partners, Mesa Verde Venture Partners, YK Bioventures and other new and existing investors. The financing follows publication of the company's first-in-human clinical study of its Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) technology and submission of a De Novo application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its lead product. Proceeds will support the lead surgical reconstruction program through potential regulatory clearance and commercialization, while also generating clinical data to evaluate additional applications of the MAP platform, including aesthetic dermatology. The published randomized, controlled, multicenter study evaluated MAP treatment in 40 patients with full-thickness wounds following Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer, met its primary safety endpoint with no serious adverse device effects, infections or delayed wound healing, and showed MAP-treated wounds reached a favorable Wound Bed Score approximately 14 days earlier than controls, with significantly improved physician-assessed scar quality at approximately six months. In conjunction with the financing, Eric Richman was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer and Steven Sands, Co-Principal of Galaxy Sirius Partners, was appointed Chairman of the Board, while Co-Founder Westbrook Weaver, Ph.D., moves from CEO to Chief Technology Officer.

CytoSorbents Corporation announced new real-world data showing a significant 37% relative reduction in severe bleeding with its CytoSorb device in urgent coronary artery bypass grafting patients on the blood thinner ticagrelor, alongside progress in FDA pre-submission meetings for its DrugSorb-ATR system. The patient-level matched analysis, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026, compared 198 CytoSorb-treated patients from the STAR-T Registry with 389 matched controls, finding severe bleeding in 21.8% versus 34.5%, with a number needed to treat of eight to prevent one event. The findings also showed significant reductions in 24-hour chest tube drainage and red blood cell transfusions, with no serious device-related adverse events. CytoSorbents expects this analysis to be a core component of a new De Novo submission for DrugSorb-ATR, increasing the treated patient pool roughly five-fold to about 250 patients. Recent FDA pre-submission meetings provided constructive feedback on separate applications for ticagrelor and direct oral anticoagulant removal, with a planned new De Novo submission for the ticagrelor indication in early 2027.

Mesoblast Limited reported total revenue of US$120.3 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, up from US$17.2 million in the prior year, driven by the U.S. launch of RYONCIL, which generated net revenue of US$115.2 million. The company achieved a gross profit of US$103.6 million and reduced its net loss by 44% to US$57.5 million. Mesoblast also completed patient treatment in the Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain, with top-line results expected in mid-2027, and is expanding RYONCIL's label to adults with steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease, a market three times larger than the pediatric market. The company ended the period with US$103 million in cash and entered into a US$125 million five-year non-dilutive credit facility.

Mesoblast Limited announced it has completed patient treatment in its pivotal Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain associated with degenerative disc disease. The trial randomized and treated 350 patients with either an intra-discal injection of rexlemestrocel-L or a sham injection, an increase from the originally planned 300 patients due to strong investigator demand. The primary endpoint is durable pain reduction at 12 months, with secondary endpoints including improvements in function, quality of life, and cessation of pain medication including opioids. Top-line results are expected in mid-CY2027 after the last treated patient completes 12 months of follow-up. Mesoblast's CEO Silviu Itescu called the milestone momentous as the company counts down to a read-out that could support its first blockbuster product, with potential peak year revenue exceeding US$10 billion in the U.S. alone.

Medeze Group Public Company Limited, or MEDEZE, reported second-quarter net profit for fiscal 2026 of 40.18 million baht, up 5.81 million baht, or 17 percent, from the previous quarter's net profit of 34.37 million baht. Total revenue was 170.31 million baht, reflecting a fourth consecutive quarter of profit recovery, from 30.54 million baht in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 to 36.43 million baht in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 and 34.37 million baht in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, before rising to 40.18 million baht in the latest quarter. The company is pressing ahead with its stem cell and regenerative medicine business, having received cell bank standards from the Ministry of Public Health, along with international AABB and ISO standards, as well as a modern medicine manufacturing license, and has joined the ATMPs Regulatory Sandbox to support the development of advanced medical products in the country. For its 2026 business plan, the company is preparing to sign a joint venture with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, or GPO, in the third quarter to establish a cell culture media manufacturing company, and expects to receive GMP standards from the Ministry of Public Health for stem cell therapy within the fourth quarter of 2026. In 2027, the company plans to move forward with clinical trials using stem cells to treat knee osteoarthritis and skin diseases in actual patients, targeting the start of knee osteoarthritis treatment in the third quarter of 2027. Commercial production of cell culture media is expected to begin within 2028, which could help reduce imports by several hundred million baht per year. On market expansion, the company is increasingly moving into overseas markets, most recently entering the Philippines, which it sees as a market with potential and high demand for specialised medical services, while continuing research on using stem cells to treat knee osteoarthritis and slow skin ageing, with the aim of developing these into registered medicines in the future.

The global regenerative medicine market is projected to reach approximately USD 162 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate of around 16% from a 2025 size of about USD 41 billion, according to a report by DelveInsight. North America held the largest share at roughly 42% in 2025, driven by advanced healthcare infrastructure and strong R&D investment, while the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets. Key companies in the space include Novartis AG, Gilead Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Krystal Biotech, among others. Recent developments include the European Commission's approval of Krystal Biotech's gene therapy Vyjuvek in April 2025 and the U.S. FDA's approval of Abeona Therapeutics' Zevaskyn, the first autologous cell-based gene therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Growth is fueled by advances in stem cell and gene therapies, rising chronic disease prevalence, and supportive regulatory pathways.

MEDEZE Group Public Company Limited, or MEDEZE, is accelerating its advanced medical business at full speed under the leadership of CEO Dr. Weeraphol Khemarangsan. The company is fully equipped with a modern pharmaceutical manufacturing license, Thailand's first cell banking standard, and international accreditations from AABB and ISO. It is also participating in the ATMPs Sandbox initiative to drive the country's advanced medical industry, aiming to build a comprehensive regenerative medicine ecosystem and elevate Thailand into a regional medical innovation hub.

Adagio Medical Holdings has treated its first patient with the next-generation vCLAS Ultra Ultra-Low Temperature Ablation system under FDA Expanded Access authorization. The patient, who had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and a history of failed prior ablations for ventricular tachycardia, was treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Gregory Supple. The vCLAS Ultra system delivers single-freeze ablations at approximately -170°C, with pre-clinical data suggesting a potential 50-75% reduction in ablation time and procedures up to 30 minutes shorter compared to the first-generation system. The FDA has granted Investigational Device Exemption approval for the FULCRUM-VT pivotal trial to evaluate the system's safety and effectiveness. The stock closed Monday at $0.46, up 21.60%, and rose to $0.58 in overnight trading, a further 26.91% gain.

HARN is pushing into the data centre market, offering integrated system services, while negotiating with leading global brand partners to bring in new products to strengthen its portfolio, supporting large-scale projects that are expanding continuously due to the growth of AI and cloud computing. In the 3D printing business, its subsidiary Mollissa has launched prosthetic fingers made from proprietary licensed materials, attracting interest from leading public hospitals, with plans to extend into prosthetic organs and other medical devices. The company targets revenue growth of more than 15 percent in 2026, with first-quarter 2026 profit up nearly 50 percent from the same period last year, driven by efficient cost management and a stable baht.

Asia Plus Securities says the Ministry of Public Health aims to push Thailand to become the regional hub for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, or ATMP Hub, within four years by upgrading ATMP industry standards covering cell production, storage, and transport, while requiring operators to meet GMP standards and obtain Cell Bank certification. The research team views this as directly positive for MEDEZE as the leader in Thailand's cell banking business, with over 50% market share and the country's first legally registered cell bank, reflecting readiness to expand into the ATMP business with leading medical institutions. If the ATMP Sandbox project makes concrete progress, it will be a key driver for the development of the anti-aging and regenerative medicine business, which has high growth potential. Currently, the company is awaiting registration of products for knee osteoarthritis and facial skin degeneration, and expects to start recognizing commercial revenue from 2027 onwards. Meanwhile, the growth of the ATMP industry provides structural support for the longevity business in the long term. BDMS stands out for expanding preventive health and anti-aging medicine services through WellEra and BDMS Wellness Clinic, covering anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Although the current revenue share is not high, it is a high-margin business that attracts high-purchasing-power customers. BH has a strength in VitalLife, which has been in the longevity business for over 20 years and is recognized by the premium medical tourism segment, thus also likely to benefit from the megatrend of anti-aging and health restoration medicine in the long term. The research team picks MEDEZE as the top stock for this theme due to the clearest growth potential in the ATMP business within the group, with a preliminary fair value of 8.00 baht based on historical P/E plus two standard deviations at 40.29 times, implying 22% upside, and recommends buying. BDMS and BH have opportunities to benefit from the long-term growth of the longevity and regenerative medicine business, with DCF-based fair values of 23.00 baht and 200.00 baht, respectively.

Mesoblast reported Ryoncil net revenues of US$36 million for the fourth fiscal quarter and US$115 million for the first full year following FDA approval. Net operating cash spend for the full year was US$43.8 million, with US$13.4 million in the second half, and the company held US$103 million in cash at June 30, 2026 after drawing down US$50 million from an existing facility to retire maturing debt. The company is expanding Ryoncil's label beyond pediatric steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease to adults, a market three times larger, and has begun enrolling patients in a registration trial. Mesoblast also achieved its target of at least 300 patients treated in the pivotal Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain and received a Biologics License Application filing number for rexlemestrocel-L in preventing gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage heart failure patients with a left ventricular assist device.

Eontec announced that its degradable magnesium interference screw project has completed enrollment of all 130 subjects according to the clinical trial protocol. Over 70 of them have completed one-year postoperative follow-up, and imaging and clinical function assessments show stable fixation. The company will subsequently submit a product registration application and, upon approval, launch the product for sale, which is expected to fill a gap in the domestic market for degradable metal orthopedic implant consumables.

Canature Health's wholly-owned subsidiary Shanghai Yuantian Biotechnology has officially signed a technical service entrustment contract with Boji Medical, marking the formal entry of YT001 Injection, a Class 1 biologic new drug independently developed by Yuantian Biotechnology for knee osteoarthritis, into the clinical trial stage. YT001 Injection received implied clinical trial approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration in October 2024, intended for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, which has a symptomatic prevalence rate of 8.1 percent in China. Traditional treatment options have shown limited efficacy for some patients, and no cell-based therapy has been approved domestically for knee osteoarthritis. Under the agreement, Boji Medical will serve as the full-process contract research organization, responsible for organizing and implementing the Phase I and Phase II clinical studies of YT001 Injection as well as full-process quality management. Founded in 2016, Yuantian Biotechnology was originally a project company incubated by Yuanneng Cell Technology Group, which was wholly established by Canature Health, and was merged into the listed company system at the end of last year. It is the core subsidiary of the company's cell business segment.

Xeltis has raised an additional €20.5 million in new funding to advance its aXess vascular access implant toward FDA approval and US commercial launch. The round was led by new investor Horizon 3 Healthcare, with participation from the European Innovation Council, Invest-NL, VI Partners, EQT Life Sciences, DaVita, and other existing shareholders. This new funding builds on the €50 million secured in 2025 and will be used to complete the ongoing US pivotal trial of aXess, prepare for FDA submission and US go-to-market activities, fund the European commercial rollout, upscale manufacturing, and advance the XABG and XPAD clinical programs. The announcement follows the recent treatment of the first commercial patient in Germany as part of the European launch of aXess, a first-of-its-kind living vascular access solution for hemodialysis.

Humacyte announced that the FDA has accepted its Investigational New Drug application for the first-in-human clinical study of its Coronary Tissue Engineered Vessel in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The Phase 2a trial is expected to begin in the current quarter and will enroll 10 adult CABG patients, evaluating safety and feasibility of the bioengineered vessel as a coronary bypass graft. The study will assess patency through the vessel for two months after implant, with up to three years of follow-up. Humacyte shares are trading up 4.31% at $0.651.

Pluristyx, Inc. and Wake Forest Advocate Health have launched a consortium to develop a standardized, clinical-grade hepatocyte manufacturing workflow for both terrestrial and orbital applications. The initiative includes the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Innovian Space, and the RegenMed Development Organization, and aims to create a scalable supply chain of liver cells for bridge-to-transplantation therapies. The project aligns with NASA's In-Space Production Applications program, with process optimization and initial validation targeted for December 2026 and full InSPA Phase 2 readiness for orbital deployment in April 2027. Pluristyx will provide induced pluripotent stem cell technologies and hepatocyte differentiation protocols, while partners contribute tissue engineering, commercialization strategy, and space biomanufacturing expertise. The manufactured cells will undergo functional validation for liver-specific outputs such as albumin production and bilirubin clearance.

Cutempa Medical AG is launching a pivotal clinical trial in Germany for its wound-care product Curi01, marking one of the largest studies under the EU Medical Device Regulation for diabetic foot ulcers. The CURE1-DFU trial, starting July 22, 2026, will enroll 280 patients across about 20 centers, randomizing them 2:1 to receive Curi01 plus standard therapy or standard therapy alone. The primary endpoint is complete wound closure at day 84, with secondary endpoints including wound area reduction and quality-of-life changes. Curi01 is a Class IIb mineral-based powder that works through physical mechanisms without antibiotics or biologics. The study is led by Dr. Maria Roxana Olareanu of Diabetes Zentrum Bad Mergentheim.

Several biotech stocks reached 52-week highs on July 16, 2026, driven by upcoming quarterly reports and conference participation. CareDx saw its stock hit a 52-week high of 40.38%, rising over 25% intraday, after announcing Medicare coverage for its AlloSure, AlloMap, and AlloSeq transplant rejection tests and reporting a 39% first-quarter revenue increase to $118 million. Integra LifeSciences shares rose over 5% to a 52-week high of $20.26, supported by recent product approvals and first-quarter revenue of $391.9 million. Agilon Health, which serves over 536,000 senior members through its subscription platform, expects full-year 2026 revenue of $5.68 billion. Bioventus touched a 52-week high of $12.53, rising over 3%, with first-quarter revenue up 7% to $132 million. Enliven Therapeutics shares rose over 6% to a 52-week high of $53.89 following encouraging interim data for its leukemia drug candidate and a recent public offering that raised about $460 million.

Mesoblast has achieved its target of treating at least 300 patients in the MSB-DR004 pivotal Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain associated with degenerative disc disease. The placebo-controlled trial is designed to confirm durable pain reduction from a single intra-discal injection seen in an earlier study, with the primary endpoint measuring pain reduction at 12 months. Chief Executive Silviu Itescu said the enrollment milestone ensures the trial is well powered for success, and commercial manufacturing is proceeding in parallel to enable a rapid regulatory filing after results readout. Top-line results are expected in mid-2027, and the therapy holds FDA Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation, which provides eligibility for priority review. Mesoblast estimates the indication could generate peak annual revenue exceeding US$10 billion with single-digit market penetration, given a U.S. prevalence of over 7 million people.

Vietnam Gene & Cell Technology, a member of CT Group, has successfully transplanted bioengineered porcine corneas into human recipients, offering new hope for the estimated 500,000 blind people in Vietnam and more than 6 million across ASEAN who need corneal transplants. The breakthrough comes amid a severe shortage of donated corneas, with only 188 available in Vietnam in 2025. A strategic partnership between the National Eye Hospital and VGCT, signed on July 3 under a public-private partnership model, aims to bring bioengineered corneal technology into clinical application. VGCT plans to commercialize the product in the coming months through a triple-helix collaboration involving research institutes, universities, the Ministry of Health, and ophthalmology institutions across the region.

United Therapeutics shares have gained 14% year to date, outperforming the industry's 0.8% decline, driven by clinical breakthroughs and improved long-term growth visibility. In March 2026, the company announced positive phase III data from the TETON-1 study of nebulized Tyvaso in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which exceeded the strong results previously reported in TETON-2, supporting a planned FDA supplemental application. The company also reported positive phase III data for its PAH candidate ralinepag from the ADVANCE OUTCOMES study and intends to submit a new drug application in the second half of 2026. United Therapeutics is advancing its organ manufacturing platform, including FDA clearance for a phase I study of its xenotransplantation heart candidate UHeart and premarket approval for the LungFX ex-vivo lung perfusion device. However, the company faces increasing competitive pressure on its core PAH franchise, with nebulized Tyvaso sales declining after loss of exclusivity and the launch of Liquidia's Yutrepia, which posted 44% sequential sales growth in the first quarter of 2026.

United Therapeutics has acquired Thymmune Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company, for $140 million in cash with potential additional earn-out payments of up to $160 million tied to clinical and regulatory milestones through 2031. Thymmune focuses on developing regenerative thymic cell therapies using human-induced pluripotent stem cells to create thymic cells that may restore functional T-cell activity, with its lead program THY-100 targeting congenital athymia. The acquisition was announced on July 2 and follows the FDA's premarket approval of LungFX, which Leerink Partners views as a positive development reinforcing United Therapeutics' long-term organ manufacturing strategy. United Therapeutics is a biotechnology company with FDA-approved pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies and innovations in xenotransplantation, 3D bioprinting, and ex vivo lung perfusion.

Organogenesis Holdings announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted its Biologics License Application for ReNu, a cryopreserved amniotic suspension allograft for managing pain in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The FDA set a PDUFA action date of April 24, 2027. ReNu combines amniotic fluid cells and micronized amniotic membrane and has been studied in three large randomized controlled trials involving over 1,300 patients. The therapy previously received FDA RMAT designation in 2021. The FDA also conditionally accepted Amnuvx as the proprietary name for ReNu, pending final review and approval.

The live cell encapsulation market is projected to grow from USD 642 million to USD 1.78 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. This advanced bioengineering technology uses semi-permeable polymeric membranes or hydrogel matrices to enable selective exchange of essential elements while shielding encapsulated cells from immune responses, sustaining cell viability without long-term immunosuppression. Key growth drivers include the heightened prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, increased investments in regenerative medicine, and advancements in biomaterials and nanoencapsulation. The microencapsulation method dominates the market, with a notable focus on metabolic disorder applications, especially type 1 diabetes, while the antibodies sub-segment leads current market share. North America currently captures the largest market share, and Asia-Pacific is positioned for rapid growth driven by evolving healthcare landscapes.

Xeltis has surpassed 50% enrollment in its US pivotal trial for aXess™, a bioabsorbable vascular access device for hemodialysis in adults with end-stage renal disease. The prospective, multicenter study has enrolled over half of the planned 140 patients across 20 sites in the United States, supported by the FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation granted in November 2024. The trial evaluates patency, safety, and performance of aXess™, which transforms into a living vessel. This milestone follows positive 12-month data from the EU pivotal trial that showed higher secondary patency compared to conventional arteriovenous grafts and lower reintervention rates, supporting CE mark approval in Europe.

ABIVAX Société Anonyme surged 38.6% after reporting positive results from Part 2 of its Phase 3 ABTECT Maintenance trial of Obefazimod for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, showing meaningful clinical benefits in hard-to-treat patients and strengthening the drug's long-term safety profile. The company also announced a $600 million underwritten public offering of American Depositary Shares. ProMIS Neurosciences rose 22.4% with no specific news, as investors await 6-month interim data from the PRECISE-AD Phase 1b trial in early Q3 2026. Cuprina Holdings gained 45.7% following last month's FDA clearance of its MEDIFLY Maggots for wound debridement. First Tracks Biotherapeutics climbed 18.3%, with top-line data from its ANB033 celiac disease trial expected in Q4 2026. SS Innovations International advanced 17.9% after winning an industry award and reporting 11,719 cumulative procedures with its SSi Mantra surgical robotic system.

Mesoblast has received a Biologics License Application filing number from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and requested a modular review of its BLA for rexlemestrocel-L in prevention of life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding due to right ventricular dysfunction in end-stage heart failure patients with a left ventricular assist device. Rexlemestrocel-L has Orphan Drug Designation for prevention of life-threatening major mucosal bleeding events and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation for this patient population, providing eligibility for rolling and priority reviews. The new FDA leadership recently provided additional guidance on regulatory flexibility for products addressing orphan rare diseases with high mortality and irreversible morbidity, including a draft guidance on demonstrating substantial evidence of effectiveness and a May guidance on chemistry, manufacturing, and controls flexibilities for cellular and gene therapy products. Mesoblast Chief Executive Dr. Silviu Itescu stated the company looks forward to working closely with the FDA to make rexlemestrocel-L available for these patients.

Conexeu Sciences has opened a new research and development facility at adMare BioInnovations' M4 Innovation Centre in Vancouver, Canada. The company commemorated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23. Conexeu is among the first companies operating within the 30,000-square-foot centre, which provides specialized laboratory infrastructure and shared scientific resources. The new laboratory will serve as the centre of Conexeu's ongoing research, product development, and commercialization efforts, including advancement of its proprietary CXU regenerative tissue platform and B.R.E.A.S.T., a novel 3D-bioprinted breast matrix designed to help the body regenerate natural tissue following mastectomy.

The global therapeutic apheresis market is projected to grow from USD 3.84 billion in 2025 to USD 8.94 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%, according to a new report by Healthcare Foresights. The market was valued at approximately USD 4.18 billion in 2026. Growth is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic and autoimmune diseases, technological advancements in automated apheresis systems, and expanding applications in regenerative medicine and CAR-T therapies. North America currently holds the largest market share, while the Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate due to increasing healthcare spending and infrastructure investments. Key players include Terumo BCT, Fresenius Kabi, Haemonetics, and B. Braun Melsungen.

Creative Medical Technology Holdings has received FDA clearance to expand its ADAPT clinical trial for Olastrocel, a regenerative therapy for chronic lower back pain. The amended protocol adds a cohort of 15 patients taking less than 90 mg of morphine equivalents per day to further evaluate safety and efficacy in individuals with ongoing opioid use, and enrollment in this new cohort is already more than 85% complete. The expansion follows positive interim 180-day data from the original ADAPT population showing statistically significant improvements in pain and functional disability with a favorable safety profile, and an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board recommended continued advancement. CEO Timothy Warbington said the company is now preparing for Phase 3 discussions for a broader chronic lower back pain indication, leveraging its AI-enabled pain-medication monitoring system to build a real-world data package. Creative Medical aims to position Olastrocel as a scalable, allogeneic therapy in a market still dominated by opioids, injections, and invasive surgery.

FibroBiologics has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering its topical fibroblast spheroid therapy for wound healing. The allowed application, number 18/184,726, contains 19 claims directed to methods of treating and accelerating wound healing by topically administering three-dimensional spheroid fibroblasts, alone or with fibroblast-derived materials. The claims specifically encompass treatment of chronic wounds and individuals with diabetes, aligning with the company’s lead program CYWC628, an investigational allogeneic fibroblast-spheroid cell-based therapy currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for diabetic foot ulcers. Founder and CEO Pete O’Heeron said the notice protects the approach being advanced in the clinic and strengthens the company’s competitive position. Chief Scientific Officer Hamid Khoja noted the examiner recognized the combination of 3D spheroid fibroblasts with or without fibroblast-derived materials as not taught by prior art, providing a strong intellectual property foundation as clinical data are generated.