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SEOUL, Korea – L&C Bio (CEO: Hwan-Cheol Lee), a leader in regenerative medicine using human tissue, announced on the 30th that its research on MegaCarti® has been published in the SCI-level international journal Acta Biomaterialia (Impact Factor 10.633), one of the top 10% journals in the biomaterials field.
The paper was co-authored by Prof. Kwangho Jung of Yongin Severance Hospital and Prof. Min Jung of Sinchon Severance Hospital, with Prof. Seong-Hwan Kim of Gangnam Severance Hospital as a corresponding author. The study covers the physicochemical properties of MegaCarti®'s components, in vitro cell experiments, and preclinical trials using a rabbit knee defect model.
MegaCarti® is composed of decellularized allogeneic costal cartilage, which retains extracellular matrix characteristics similar to native articular cartilage. Its cross-linked polymer carrier enhances viscosity, providing improved shape retention and moldability. In vitro studies showed that MegaCarti® was non-cytotoxic and promoted human bone marrow-derived stem cell responses.
In an animal study, rabbits underwent microfracture surgery, followed by either MegaCarti® implantation or no additional treatment. Six months post-operation, the MegaCarti® group demonstrated faster gait recovery and superior cartilage repair morphologically, histologically, and biomechanically compared to the control group.
A company representative stated:
“This study confirms MegaCarti® as a safe and effective solution for cartilage regeneration. It is also the first report demonstrating successful cartilage restoration using decellularized allogeneic cartilage without external cells or growth factors, applied directly after microfracture surgery.”
MegaCarti® is currently available for non-reimbursed clinical use in university and orthopedic hospitals under Korea’s conditional new health technology (nHTA) approval. L&C Bio recently showcased MegaCarti® at major symposia held by the Korean Orthopaedic Association and the Korean Society of Cartilage and Osteoarthritis, highlighting its clinical efficacy and performance.
