Viticell®, a new treatment for Vitiligo patients using cutaneous repigmentation through cell grafts

LONDON - Feb. 24, 2015 - PRLog -- Viticell®, a new treatment for Vitiligo patients using cutaneous repigmentation through cell grafts

Viticell®, the new medical device on the market, offers an innovative treatment for patients with non-progressive vitiligo or post-traumatic hypochromic scars by using autologous grafts in cellular suspension, either in the doctor’s surgery or hospital. Having achieved excellent results in the domestic market of France, the UK Business Development Manager from Laboratoires Genévrier will be visiting the Aesthetics Conference and Exhibition 2015 on 7-8th March 2015 in London, to develop partnerships in the UK with specialist dermatology clinics, KOLs, and practitioners treating patients with vitiligo. For meeting requests, contact Katie Docwra at BUSINESS FRANCE on 0207 024 3619, katie.docwra@businessfrance.fr

Vitiligo affects 0.5% to 2% of the population worldwide, and presents in two clinical forms: segmental and non-segmental.  Due to its visible nature, this disease often triggers social withdrawal and can be very troubling for patients. Six in 10 patients fear the condition will worsen, and about one third of them report feelings of anger and shame, a tendency toward depression, as well as reporting an impact on their social life. Medical treatments for vitiligo include natural heliotherapy and, especially, high activity corticosteroids (class IV), immunomodulators, and associated phototherapy.

Surgical treatment is based on three autologous graft techniques. The oldest method is the full-thickness skin graft. The second, the split-thickness skin graft, consists in the direct application of a dermal-epidermal graft, harvested using a dermatome, on to the depigmented area which has previously undergone dermabrasion treatment. For the autologous epidermal graft in cellular suspension, the harvesting methods are the same as for the previous technique, but include an additional step: the use of an enzyme solution to dissociate the epidermis from the dermis so as to collect keratinocyte and melanocyte cells from the epidermal tissue. This step takes the solution from a solid to liquid phase, through the cellular suspension of the harvested epidermal cells. When applied to the area previously treated by dermabrasion, cellular suspension makes it possible to treat a surface area 5 to 10 times as large as the biopsy.

According to European recommendations, the autologous graft in cellular suspension is indicated in cases of segmental or localised vitiligo after failure of classic medical treatments, such as phototherapy, and in non-segmental vitiligo that has been stable for at least 6 months in patients with no previous history of Koebner phenomenon. In the case of segmental vitiligo, it is possible to obtain significant repigmentation (95%) that lasts for 5 years in 84% of patients . The cell graft may also be a therapeutic option for the treatment of hypochromic or achromic scars following burns or laser treatments, for example.

Viticell® obtained CE marking in October 2013 and is therefore authorised for sale within the UK. The benefit of using the melanocyte graft using Viticell® is the accelerated repigmentation process achieved by using the patient’s own cells to repigment his or her depigmented lesions. Thanks to a single-use, standardised procedure that is GMP compliant, it is now possible to treat a depigmented area of up to 100cm2 in 1 to 2 hours either in the doctor’s surgery or clinic, or at the hospital. One of the principal innovations of Viticell® lies in suspending isolated cells in hyaluronic acid (HA) during the dermal-epidermal separation. The addition of HA allows a more viscous cell suspension, giving better adhesion and diffusion when it is applied to the area ready for the skin graft.

Viticell® expands the therapeutic arsenal either at the hospital or the doctor’s surgery, making it possible to treat patients suffering from vitiligo where previous conventional treatments no longer allow for repigmentation.

Viticell in 5 steps:

1 - Harvest thin skin sample (4-20cm2)
2 - Skin digestion and collection of epidermal cells with Viticell®
3 - Resuspension in Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
4 - Cell graft onto the area previously treated with dermabrasion (<100cm2)
5 - Option to use post-graft phototherapy to augment repigmentation


About Laboratories Genévrier

Since their creation in 1987, Laboratories Genévrier has been a leading expert in Rheumatology, Dermatology and Gynaecology. It embraces the development of new medicines and medical devices, as well as the activities of its Biotechnology affiliate, “Genbiotech” , the first centre in Europe for cell culture therapy, developing Cell Therapy Products and Ancillary Therapeutic Products.

For further information about the company, please go to: www.laboratoires-genevrier.com

About Business France

Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for facilitating the international growth of French businesses, as well as promoting international investment in France.

It promotes France’s companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location, and also runs the V.I.E international internship programme.
Founded on January 1, 2015 through a merger between UBIFRANCE and the Invest in France Agency, Business France has 1,500 personnel, both in France and in 70 countries throughout the world, who work with a network of public and private sector partners.

For further information, please visit: www.businessfrance.fr


For further information, please contact :

Ms Anne Dessemond – Trade Development Manager
Business France Press Office in London
SW1Y 4SP – UK - Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3634 – anne.dessemond@businessfrance.fr
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www.ubifrance.com/uk