Key findings
- ElpasBio has partnered with Fosun Kairos to commercialize its investigational stem cell therapy, AlloJoin, for knee osteoarthritis in China.
- AlloJoin is in a Phase III trial in China, following Phase I and II studies that showed favorable safety and symptom improvements.
ElpasBio, a Chinese biotech company, has entered into an agreement with Fosun Kairos, a Chinese CDMO, to commercialize its investigational allogeneic human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (haMPC) therapy, lotazadromcel (trade name AlloJoin®), for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR. Allojoin is reportedly the first KOA stem cell therapy to reach Phase III in China.
What is AlloJoin
AlloJoin is an investigational, off-the-shelf stem cell product based on ElpasBio’s haMPC platform. It’s being explored for symptom relief in KOA by suppressing inflammation and supporting cartilage repair, and potentially modifying KOA disease progression.
Clinical status in China
AlloJoin is being evaluated in a Phase III pivotal trial for KOA in China, following Phase I and Phase II clinical studies. ElpasBio reports that those earlier studies showed a favorable safety profile, along with significant improvement in knee joint pain and stiffness in KOA patients.
“Fosun Kairos carries extensive experience in the commercialization of cell therapies in China, providing a strong foundation for a robust and mutually beneficial partnership,” said Tony (Bizuo) Liu, Chairman of ElpasBio. “AlloJoin® is the first stem cell drug approved in China to enter into a Phase III pivotal clinical trial with the disease modifying potential for the treatment of KOA. We believe this collaboration will accelerate the successful commercialization of AlloJoin® in China and bring us closer to addressing the significant unmet medical needs of KOA, a degenerative disease.”
Company snapshot
ElpasBio is a clinical-stage biotech firm focused on regenerative medicine, spun off from AbelZeta Pharma, Inc. (previously known as CBMG Holdings) in 2023. The company reports it has GMP-compliant manufacturing and R&D facilities in Wuxi and Shanghai, China, and describes AlloJoin as its core product.
Fosun Kairos, founded in 2017, is the cell therapy platform of Fosun Pharma. The company notes that in June 2021, Fosun Kairos received approval for China’s first CAR-T cell therapy, Yikaida (axicabtagene ciloleucel injection).
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