Friday, November 14, 2008

Apligraf targeted as alternative for animal testing

By Marc Songini

Tissue regeneration company Organogenesis Inc. sees potential in the cosmetics industry market as the European Union moves toward enforcing bans on the sales of cosmetics tested on animals.

Next year, the EU will begin to uphold the ban. While the details of how authorities will enforce the rules aren’t clear, it’s nevertheless inevitable, noted Geoff MacKay, president and CEO of Organogenesis, based in Canton. This means there is a potential opportunity to expand the use of his company’s core product, Apligraf.

Apligraf is a bilayered cell skin replacement consisting of an epidermis, or outer layer, of living human keratinocytes and a dermis, or inner layer, of living human fibroblasts seeded in bovine collagen. Apligraf has largely been confined to treat human diabetic ulcers or other non-healing wounds, which can help patients avoid amputation.

Now Apligraf has the potential for more widespread use as a testing substitute for cosmetics companies looking to do business in Europe. “Soon there will be a sea change, and there’s no question no one wants to sacrifice the European market,” said MacKay. Some companies, such as Paris-based cosmetic products giant L’Oreal SA, have been using their own skin alternatives for years. However, this particular test market has been a “bit stagnant” lately, and the EU ban is expected to stimulate it, said MacKay.

Organogenesis is possibly the only regional company that can provide the appropriate 3-D tissue testing products for cosmetics companies, noted Jonathan Garlick, professor at Boston-based Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and a specialist in tissue engineering. Organogenesis has opportunities not just  in Europe, but in the U.S, as well. In the U.S., there is a “tremendous sense of urgency” to come up with alternatives to animal testing.

Organogenesis plans to license its product to partners in other countries to service cosmetics companies selling in Europe. However, before it does that, it intends to complete the research and development of its next-generation tissue product. Called VCT01, it will have a more complex collagen structure than currently exists and be more similar to human skin, said MacKay. While it is in the late stage of development, there is no specific release date, he said.

MacKay is optimistic about the cosmetic industry opportunities. “Companies like to be altruistic, but they might not sacrifice business to do so,” he said. “I’d be thrilled to tell my daughter we saved some guinea pigs and bunnies.”