RCT-01

Chronic tendinopathy

In development

RCT-01 is an autologous cell therapy in development for chronic tendinopathy. It uses non-bulbar dermal sheath (NBDS) cells, a type of fibroblast, isolated from the patient’s own hair follicles.

Fibroblasts contribute to connective tissue by producing structural proteins, including collagen. NBDS cells, which are the focus of RepliCel’s patented technologies, produce type 1 and type 2 collagen.

Tendons join muscle to bone and are largely made up of collagen. In chronic tendinopathy, also called tendinosis, the collagen in the tendon breaks down, which can cause pain and loss of function.

For RCT-01, NBDS cells are isolated from a small tissue sample taken from the back of the patient’s scalp, expanded in culture, and injected into the affected tendon.

Publications related to RCT-01

Hair shaft Skin surface Dermal sheathNBDS cells Dermal papilla Dermal sheath cupDSC cells
Simplified diagram of a hair follicle. Not to scale.

From hair follicle to injection

  1. Tissue sample

    A small tissue sample is taken from the back of the patient’s scalp.

  2. Isolation

    NBDS cells are isolated from hair follicles in the sample.

  3. Expansion

    The cells are expanded in culture.

  4. Injection

    The patient’s own cells are injected into the affected tendon.

RCT-01 video

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