Olympus Biotech International announced the European availability of its eptotermin alfa product “Opgenra”. This product is indicated for posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion (PLF) in adult patients with spondylolisthesis where autograft has failed or is contraindicated.
The active ingredient, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7 or eptotermin alfa), stimulates natural bone regeneration by actively recruiting stem cells from the surrounding tissue and blood supply, initiating the bone formation cascade. Opgenra will be available in the UK and Germany in July with other European Countries to follow later in the Year.
“We are proud to announce that shortly after the acquisition of all BMP-7 bone-related product rights from Stryker, we are able to make Opgenra available to European patients”, says Florian Kemmerich, president of Olympus Biotech International.
Opgenra is a medicine that contains the active substance eptotermin alfa. It is supplied as two vials, one containing eptotermin alfa and another containing a substance called carmellose. The two powders are made up into a ‘suspension’ (a liquid with solid particles in it) with a putty-like consistency, which is implanted in the body.
Opgenra is placed between the transverse processes of the spine to promote fusion. Once implanted in the body, Opgenra stimulates natural bone regeneration by actively recruiting stem cells from the surrounding tissue and blood supply, initiating the bone formation cascade.
Eptotermin alfa has 10 years of use in clinical practice as an osteoinductive agent in supporting the regeneration of bone with regulatory approvals in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.
