rhCollagen: genetically engineered building block for regenerative medicine

Collagen is the stuff that holds our bodies together and that houses our cells. In regenerative medicine, it is also the stuff that can be applied to wounds to support healing. However, collagen from animal or human sources has some drawbacks for today’s medicine. This is where rhCollagen from the Israeli company CollPlant comes into play.

In the interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Yehiel Tal talks about rhCollagen, why it is superior to natural collagen how it can change the future of regenerative medicine.

Mr. Tal, what is the idea behind CollPlant, and how did it become a reality?

Yehiel Tal: CollPlant Biotechnologies Ltd. is a regenerative medicine company focused on 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs and the development of medical aesthetics products. The company was founded as an incubator company, its technology stemming from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Our proprietary technology is based on the introduction of the five human genes that are essential for the synthesis of Type I collagen into tobacco plants. It is the only commercially viable technology currently available to mass-produce true Type I human collagen.

What is rhCollagen?

Tal: Collagen is an essential building block of the human body, providing structural support and biological signals to connective tissues and organs, and therefore it is a crucial component for tissue regeneration. To date, collagen had to be extracted from animal and human cadaver sources, baring risk of contamination and allergic response, as well as impeded biofunctionality.

We are the first company to succeed in developing a plant platform that effectively expresses recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen). rhCollagen is identical to the type I collagen produced by the human body.

How is it produced?

Tal: The production of rhCollagen begins with the creation of genetically engineered tobacco plants. Using genetic engineering and traditional breeding techniques, CollPlant introduced into tobacco plants five synthetic human genes operating in an orchestrated effort to yield recombinant human type I procollagen.

The bio-engineered plants are grown, leaves are harvested, and procollagen is extracted from the leaves and further processed to achieve a highly purified rhCollagen that can be used for the production of medical products.

Why is plant-based collagen preferable to collagen from animal sources for use in medicine? Is there any difference between the two, e.g. physiologically, biochemically?

Tal: The bio-engineered tobacco plants produce human collagen that is superior to collagen currently on the market sourced from animals and human cadavers. rhCollagen is identical to natural human collagen, therefore it does not elicit an adverse immune response in humans. Its plant origin yields a safe product with more consistent properties, making it the ideal building block for regenerative medicine. rhCollagen is a broadly applicable technology platform that is cost-effective and enables products for medical uses with superior biological and physical properties.

Our rhCollagen has significant advantages over the currently available tissue-derived collagens, including improved biofunctionality, high homogeneity, and reduced risk of immune response.

Do they differ in use from the physician's point of view?

Tal: rhCollagen-based products are expected to demonstrate faster tissue regeneration. This is already demonstrated with our advanced wound care product VergenixFG and our orthobiologics product VergenixSTR.

Into what direction do you plan to develop your product?

Tal: Currently, we are advancing development of our rhCollagen-based pipeline in three major fields: 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs, dermal fillers and breast implants. We develop a variety of BioInk formulations for the production of 3D bioprinted tissues and organs, in-house and in collaboration with partners. In October 2018, we entered into a collaboration agreement with United Therapeutics, a leader in the regenerative medicine field, for the use of CollPlant’s BioInks in the manufacturing of human lung transplants. In January 2020, we have announced our collaboration with 3D Systems, the leading additive manufacturing printing solutions company. Together, we can offer a turn-key solution for 3D bioprinting applications, comprised of 3D system's innovative printers and CollPlant's rhCollagen-based BioInks.

Furthermore, we are developing a photocurable dermal filler that is comprised of hyaluronic acid and rhCollagen, and will be cross-linked post injection using external light source. This filler is designed to provide multiple effects: injectability, skin lifting, sculpturing ability, retention to the host tissue, and tissue regeneration.

We are also advancing our development of injectable and 3D bioprinted implants for the regeneration of breast tissue, aimed to overcome the current challenges related to breast augmentation and restoration.

Lastly, we have two commercial products based on our rhCollagen technology in the European market: Vergenix FG is an advanced wound-care device indicated for the management of acute and chronic wounds, available through local distributors. Vergenix STR is a soft tissue repair matrix mixed with platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) indicated for treatment of tendinopathy.

You exhibited at MEDICA 2019 – how do you evaluate your participation?

Tal: As a first-time presenter at MEDICA, our aim was to spread the word about our two commercial products as part of expansion activities into new markets. We are now advancing on some promising discussions, initiated at the MEDICA, with leading companies in the field.