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A History of Firsts

1995: Genzyme manufactures and commercializes CARTICEL, the first and only cell-based therapy for cartilage repair.

First patient is treated with CARTICEL in the U.S.

Viability assay implemented.
1996: CARTICEL biologics license application (BLA) is filed.
1997: CARTICEL receives approval in accordance with new FDA cell therapy guidance.

It is the first, FDA-approved, biologics license application for cell therapy.

CARTICEL is the only autologous cultured chondrocyte product available in the U.S.
2004: First rapid automated sterility test for lot release of a biologic.
2006: The Study of the treatment of articular repair, first Good Clinical Practice (GCP) study in the U.S. for cartilage repair completed.
2010: Identity assay FDA-approved and implemented as part of the final release criteria for each patient lot.

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Indication

Carticel® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) is an autologous cellular product indicated for the repair of symptomatic cartilage defects of the femoral condyle (medial, lateral or trochlea), caused by acute or repetitive trauma, in patients who have had an inadequate response to a prior arthroscopic or other surgical repair procedure (e.g., debridement, microfracture, drilling/abrasion arthroplasty, or osteochondral allograft/autograft).

CARTICEL should only be used in conjunction with debridement, placement of a periosteal flap and rehabilitation. The independent contributions of the autologous cultured chondrocytes and other components of the therapy to outcome are unknown.

CARTICEL is not indicated for the treatment of cartilage damage associated with generalized osteoarthritis.

CARTICEL is not recommended for patients with total meniscectomy unless surgically reconstructed prior to or concurrent with CARTICEL implantation.

Important Safety Information

CARTICEL should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to gentamicin, other aminoglycosides or materials of bovine origin.

It should not be used in patients who have previously had cancer in the bones, cartilage, fat or muscle of the treated limb.

Pre-existing conditions, including meniscal tears, joint instability, or malalignment should be assessed and treated prior to or concurrent with CARTICEL implantation.

CARTICEL is not routinely tested for transmissible infectious diseases and may transmit disease to the healthcare provider handling CARTICEL.

Use of CARTICEL in children, patients over age 65, or in joints other than the knee has not yet been assessed.

The occurrence of subsequent surgical procedures (SSPs), primarily arthroscopy, following CARTICEL implantation is common. In the Study of the Treatment of Articular Repair (STAR), forty-nine percent (49%) of patients underwent an SSP on the treated knee, irrespective of their relationship to CARTICEL, during the 4-year follow up. The most common serious adverse events (≥5% of patients), derived from STAR, include arthrofibrosis/joint adhesions, graft overgrowth, chondromalacia or chondrosis, cartilage injury, graft complication, meniscal lesion, graft delamination, and osteoarthritis.

For more information on CARTICEL, please see the Package Insert (PDF).

CARTICEL Manufacturing Video

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Have Questions?

Check out our FAQs for answers—or contact a Carticel Care^® Coordinator at 800-453-6948, Option #2, for more detailed information.

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