Fibrocell Science and Intrexon have entered an Exclusive Channel Collaboration (ECC) for the development of genetically-modified fibroblasts to treat chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the joint, including arthritis and related conditions.

Fibrocell’s fibroblast platform will be combined with Intrexon’s cellular engineering capabilities to generate cell-based therapeutics that have been modified to express one or more proteins at sites of joint inflammation with the goal of helping to overcome the limitations of existing treatment options for chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the joint.

Intrexon will receive a technology access fee of $10 million and reimbursement for R&D costs, as well as regulatory and commercial milestone payments of as much as $30 million and $22.5 million, respectively, and royalties on sales.

“The synergy of our versatile fibroblast platform with Intrexon’s genetic engineering is readily apparent through two product candidates, FCX-007 and FCX-013, which have generated encouraging preclinical data across difficult-to-treat indications,” said David Pernock, chairman and chief executive officer of Fibrocell. “We are excited by the expansion of our relationship with Intrexon and believe the power of our combined platforms will allow us to vie for leadership in this major therapeutic category and bring hope to patients and their families.”

“With present standards of care focused on limiting symptoms and slowing progression, optimal therapy for inflammatory, degenerative diseases of the joints represents a major unmet medical need and a significant commercial opportunity,” said Samuel Broder, M.D., senior vice president and head of Intrexon’s Health Sector.  “With Intrexon’s Better DNA^® suite of proprietary technologies, our engineered cell-based therapies may provide long-lasting effect while minimizing the repeated injections necessary with current treatments.”