Meet the team

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico

FPUCBM is an international centre of education, health services and scientific research. The close links between the Faculties of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, the Integrated Centre of Research and the modern hospital provide an optimal environment to develop and apply patient-oriented technologies, and to perform basic and clinical research. It pursues the aim of protecting and promoting the human person in the field of healthcare, training, scientific, research and innovation in the biomedical and health fields, both clinical and translational.

FPUCBM Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit treats the degenerative and traumatic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and is specialized in the surgery of the limbs and vertebral column. The Research Unit is also equipped with a Laboratory of Regenerative Orthopeadics where basic and preclinical research is performed.

• Prof. Gianluca Vadalà, MD, PhD – PI, coordinator
• Prof. Rocco Papalia, MD, PhD – Director of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit
• Prof. Umile Giuseppe Longo, MD, PhD – Orthopaedics’ surgeon
• Dr Stefano Campi, MD – Orthopaedics’ surgeon
• Dr Fabrizio Russo, MD, PhD – Orthopaedics’ surgeon
• Dr Sebastiano Vasta, MD – Orthopaedics’ surgeon
• Dr Luca Ambrosio, MD – Orthopaedics’ surgeon
• Dr Giorgia Petrucci, MSN – Clinical Nurse
• Dr Claudia Cicione, PhD – Senior Researcher
• Dr Giuseppina Di Giacomo, PhD – Senior Researcher
• Dr Veronica Tilotta, PhD – Junior Researcher
• Dr Letizia Vainieri, PhD – Project Manager
• Dr Renato Gambardella – Administration Management

Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh

Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh is 220 years old, which makes it the oldest hospital in Croatia. It is situated in the capital city, Zagreb. The hospital encompasses around 500 beds for adults and 70 beds for newborns.

The Orthopaedic department of Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh has a longtime experience of treating patients with musculoskeletal issues. While procedures such as joint arthroplasties, knee ligament reconstructions, arthroscopies of the hip, knee and shoulder, foot and ankle surgery are regularly performed, special interest is given to regenerative medicine as Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh was part of the EU projects BIO-COMET and BIO-CHIP which dealt with tissue engineering and regeneration of articular cartilage.

• Prof. Alan Ivković, MD, PhD – orthopedic surgeon, PI
• Dr. Tomislav Kottek, MD – resident in orthopedic surgery,, junior researcher
• Olja Ulični Nikšić, mag. biol. – administration management

König-Ludwig-Haus Orthopedic Department

The König-Ludwig-Haus Orthopedic Department located in Wuerzburg, Germany, serves as a comprehensive care facility dedicated to diagnosing and treating all orthopedic-related diseases and injuries. Managed by the Lower Franconia district, this esteemed institution stands as the historic orthopedic chair at the University of Würzburg, seamlessly integrating scientific research, education, and clinical practice.

Annually, the department caters to approximately 4,000 inpatient and more than 20,000 outpatient cases. It boasts a workforce of about 330 employees and offers 100 beds across five wards. The facility’s five operating theaters are the site of around 4,000 surgeries each year. Holding the certification of a top-tier arthroplasty center (EndoProthetikZentrum der Maximalversorgung (EPZmax)) by endoCert since 2013, the hospital provides an extensive array of orthopedic services.

• Dr. Stephan Reppenhagen, MD – orthopedic surgeon, PI
• Dr. Alexander Wolpert, MD – orthopedic surgeon, study coordinator
• Jasmin Baumann – study nurse

University of Milan

The University of Milan, UNIMI, is a public research university in Milan, Italy, founded in 1924. It is one of the largest universities in Europe, with about 60,000 students, and a permanent teaching and research staff of about 2,000. The University of Milan has ten schools and offers 140 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes, 32 Doctoral Schools and 65+ Specialization Schools. The University’s research and teaching activities have grown over the years and have received important international recognitions.

The University is the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), a group of twenty-one research-intensive European Universities. It consistently ranks as first university in Italy (ARWU) sharing the place with University of Pisa and Sapienza University of Rome, and is also one of the best universities of Italy, both overall and in specific subject areas in other ranking systems.

• Prof. Giuseppe Peretti – principal investigator
• Prof.ssa Laura Mangiavini – sub investigator
• Dr. Corrado Sosio – sub investigator

Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio

I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio (OGSA) is a teaching and research hospital in Milan, Italy .The hospital’s research activities concerning diseases of the movement apparatus have been accredited by the Italian Ministry of Health. Thus, Galeazzi is one of the Institutes for Care and Scientific Research (IRCCS).

OGSA provides care for all orthopaedic diseases and was the first orthopaedic hospital in Italy to perform some complex surgeries, such as arthrodesis and hip, knee and ankle arthroplasties. Moreover, movement disorders and metabolic diseases are also treated. Some additional specialties are present in the hospital, such first of all cardiologist, but also rehabilitation, dermatology, oral surgery, maxillo-facial surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, rheumatology and endocrinology.

OGSA is to define, program, and provide top-level care associated with high quality research in bone and muscle diseases, following a 40-year tradition of innovative medical care through new procedures, new bioengineering techniques, and evidence-based and translational medicine.

The strong link between high-quality care and innovative and clinically based research allows our hospital to project, develop, and release new organizational models for healthcare, to increase the skills and qualification of healthcare personnel, to enhance the learning experience for graduate and postgraduate students, and to maximize the correct information of our services, treatments, and outcomes for patients.

• Dr.ssa Anna Lo Russo – Grant Office
• Dr.ssa Sara Zacchetti – Clinical Trial Office

Orthopaedic Hospital Vienna-Speising

The Orthopaedic Hospital Vienna-Speising is a company in Vinzenz Gruppe, a private group of Austrian hospitals. The hospital is a public, non-profit establishment. Speising Orthopaedic Hospital houses 280 beds and treats 17,000 inpatients each year. 37,000 people attend our outpatient clinic per annum. The Orthopaedic Hospital Vienna-Speising is the largest orthopaedic hospital in Austria and one of the leading speciality orthopaedic hospitals in Europe. Our experts are highly specialised in various sub-areas of orthopaedics. Our particular core competencies are: knee, hip, spine, shoulder, elbow, arm, hand, Leg, foot, and children’s orthopaedics, neuro-orthopaedics, deformities.

The Michael Ogon Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research is a basic research lab within the Orthopaedic Hospital Vienna-Speising. At this institution, a wide range of research projects are performed in cooperation with national and international companies as well as research institutes. Our mission is to further improve and develop therapies for orthopaedic patients. Research fields: periprosthetic joint infections, imaging, growth plate research, and bone mineralization and bone growth.

• Priv.-Doz. DDr. Christian Albrecht, MBA – Principal Investigator
• Dr. Michael Enenkel – Sub Investigator
• Dr. Florian Kissler – Sub Investigator
• Dr. Florian Wepner – Sub Investigator
• Dr. Lukas Hoffmann – Sub Investigator
• Dr. Adrian Pototschnig – Sub Investigator
• Karina Hackl, BSc – Study Coordinator

Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital

Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Krakow is one of the largest medical centers in Lesser Poland. The high professionalism of the medical staff, the use of modern diagnostic methods, and effective treatment methods guarantee high quality of medical services provided.

Orthopedic – Trauma Surgery Department has 50 beds and meets the highest standards and norms. In the field of orthopedics, reconstructive procedures are performed using the latest surgical techniques such as endoprosthetics and joint realignment, ligament-capsule apparatus reconstructions, corrective surgeries of the hand and foot, surgical treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the musculoskeletal system. Acquired, congenital, and traumatic musculoskeletal disorders as well as polytrauma are treated.

• Dr. Paweł Skowronek, MD – Principal Investigator
• Dr. Łukasz Dutka, MD – researcher
• Dr. Michał Skowronek, MD – researcher
• Physician Assistant Klaudia Joniak – researcher
• Physician Assistant Adam Janas – researcher
• Michal Steczko, MPharm – LEAR
• Krzysztof Michoń – legal support
• Zuzanna Moorthi – administrative team
• Agnieszka Wencel, MPharm – administrative team

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Sahlgrenska University Hospital is one of Sweden’s largest hospitals, divided at several sites and encompasses around 1,600 hospital beds. We improve healthcare through the application of strong innovation and clinic research in close and broad cooperation with academia, industry and patients.

Within the Department of Orthopedics there is an advanced clinical expertise in the field of osteoarthritis with extensive experience in research, clinical trial design and management. The department for adult and pediatric orthopedic care has more than 5 hospital wards and over 100 specialist orthopedic surgeons.

Also, ATMP center at Sahlgrenska University Hospital functions as one of the regional knowledge centers and contact points for the development and implementation of ATMPs within Swedish healthcare.

• Kristian Samuelsson – Principal Investigator
• Alexandra Horvath – Resident in orthopedic surgery, PhD-student
• Eric Hamrin Senorski, PT, PhD, MSc – Team member
• Jens Augustsson, PT – Team member
• Linn Söderholm – Team member

Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus Spandau

The Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at the Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus Spandau, Berlin (EWK), is the largest charitable hospital in Berlin and an academic hospital affiliated with Charité University Medicine. Around 19,000 inpatients and 40,000 outpatients are treated each year. The EWK employs over 400 medical. There are 474 beds available for inpatient stays in a total of nine specialist departments. A nursing school and a school for occupational therapy, a nursing home with 196 places for residents and a sports and rehabilitation center for physiotherapy and occupational therapy are affiliated with the EWK.

Led by Professor Dr. Ulrich Nöth, the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery boasts a Clinical Trial Unit specialized in implementing cell-based therapeutic strategies, alongside a dedicated unit focused on regulatory affairs. Professor Dr. Ulrich Nöth and his team, comprising OA Dr. Lars Rackitz and OA Dr. Valentin Acker, possess extensive experience in designing and conducting Phase I and II clinical trials utilizing cell-based approaches for treating cartilage diseases. Professor Nöth previously served as the work package leader for Phase I and II clinical trials in the EU-funded ADIPOA I and II projects, focusing on MSC therapy for osteoarthritis treatment.

• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Nöth, – PI, Clinical director Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
• Dr. Valentin Acker, MD – clinical trial unit, data management
• Dr. Lars Rackwitz, MD – clinical trial unit, data management

Medical University of Vienna

The Medical University of Vienna (briefly: MedUni Vienna) is the largest medical organisation in Austria, and provides Europe’s largest hospital, the AKH in Vienna, with all of its medical staff. With its long history and tradition, which covers 650 years, MedUni Wien has developed into a highly modern research institution. About 6,000 staff members work at MedUni Vienna in 30 university hospital departments, 2 clinical institutes and 13 centres of medical science – all with the purpose of improving health. 660,000 patients receive the highest quality treatment from MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital each year, with 110,000 of them admitted as inpatients. The university’s 8,000 students secure the future of medical treatment. MedUni Vienna is Austria’s largest medical training centre. Under the guidance of 1,000 teachers, around 8,000 students are currently completing their studies in human medicine and dentistry.

The High Field MR Center of the Medical University of Vienna belongs to the Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy.

The center represents an interdisciplinary platform on the development of morphologic, functional and metabolic imaging methods, such as spectroscopy for high-field and ultra high-field MRI, i.e., 3 and 7 Tesla, as well as application of these methods in basic science and clinical research.

• Prof. Siegfried Trattnig, MD – head of the MR Center
• Ap.Prof. Vladimir Juras, PhD – university assistant professor
• Ing. Pavol Szomolanyi, PhD – university assistant

University Hospital of Wuerzburg

The University Hospital of Wuerzburg (UKW) in the south of Germany consists of 19 clinics with policlinics. In addition three autonomous policlinics as well as four clinical institutes belong to the UKW. One of these institutes is the Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM) which was established at the UKW in 2009. At the TERM, the working group „GMP (Good manufacturing practice)-compliant implant development“ cooperates closely with various UKW clinical facilities to convert autologous donor tissue into Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). Thanks to its long-standing expertise in the area of ​​GMP-compliant implant development and production, the working group also acts in an advisory capacity for its cooperation partners on all regulatory issues. In our EU ENCANTO project, UKW-TERM is one of the two manufacturing sites for GMP production of our medicinal product N-TEC (Nasal chondrocyte-based Tissue-engineered Cartilage).

• Dr. Sarah Nietzer -Principal Investigator, Head of GMP Quality Control
• PD Dr. Oliver Pullig – Head of GMP manufacturing and (EU) Qualified Person
• Sebastian Häusner – Head of GMP Production
• Dr. Christian Lotz – Non-invasive quality control, OCT

TheraCell Laboratories

THERACELL LABORATORIES, member of ORGENESIS Group, is a leading innovative global cell therapy processing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), focused on GMP process development, automated manufacturing and supply and translation of cell therapies from lab to market.  The team comprises of a unique combination of multidisciplinary individuals, including cell and gene therapy (CGT) scientific experts, good manufacturing practice (GMP) experts, and engineers, at a global scale. The focus of THERACELL LABORATORIES is the development of a diverse pipeline of autologous cell and gene therapies, which through the decentralized model of production will be affordable, accessible and available to all.

The centers provide end-to-end solutions to the cell therapy industry, process development capabilities and proficiency, and custom-made engineering, while maintaining a unique platform for creative design and process optimization using the Point of Care (POCare) Network. The POCare Network is an innovative, collaborative, international ecosystem of leading research institutes and hospitals committed to the clinical development and supply of CGTs at close proximity to the patients and end-users. These proprietary units are called OMPULs (Orgenesis mobile processing unit laboratories) and constitute a unique field of biotechnological innovation.

Videoreha

Videoreha platform is SME (small- and medium-sized enterprise) registered in Croatia and has been founded in 2019. Videoreha is composed of doctors and physiotherapists with extensive experience in the development of unique online rehabilitation programs. Aim of this platform is developing and commercializing an advanced internet-based computer-guided rehabilitation programs with a feedback function to monitor the patient’s progress during rehabilitation.

As a participant in the ENCANTO project, Videoreha is developing a specialized rehabilitation program for both physiotherapists and patients with PFOA. In collaboration with clinical partners, digital monitoring devices will be provided to patients at defined intervals to track overall activity levels. This data will allow evaluation of the impact of physiotherapy on clinical outcomes and correlation with patient-reported clinical data on Videoreha. Within ENCANTO, the internet platform Videoreha will be introduced in several clinics throughout Europe, thus increasing the market potential.

• Prof. Dr. sc. Damir Hudetz – CSO (Chief scientific officer)
• Tomislav Slisković – CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
• Dr.sc. Saša Baščevan – COO (Chief Operating Officer)
• Matko Kvesić – CTO (Chief Technology Officer)
• Nikolina Bagavac – project coordinator

Promove-biotec

Promove-biotec GmbH, is an SME founded in 2018, with business activities in the health sector of advanced therapies. Promove-biotec is addressing regulatory issues in the field of ATMPs and has its head quarter in Nuremberg, Germany. The company was founded by Dr. Oliver Pullig (CEO) and has customers in the academic and pharmaceutical industry field. The business model covers advisory services in the non-clinical and clinical development of ATMPs. Furthermore, the company is partner in the EU project ENCANTO with tasks in trial submission, regulatory aspects, and exploration strategies of the medicinal product N-TEC for cartilage regeneration.

• Dr. Oliver Pullig – founder and CEO

University of Oulu

The University of Oulu is an international science university that creates new knowledge, well-being and innovations for the future through research and education. The University of Oulu, founded in 1958, is one of the largest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland.

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oulu is an integral part of the Kontinkangas Life Sciences Campus. The campus is a unique combination of partners in research, education, health services and business. The faculty provides versatile education in the field of health sciences.

HST is the most multidisciplinary research unit at the University of Oulu, which provides unique potential in addressing fundamental and applied research questions in a comprehensive setting. The unit is supported by a total of eleven Principal investigators with expertise in clinical sciences (radiology, radiotherapy, clinical neurophysiology), medical physics, medical engineering, medical informatics, biomarkers and connected health (business and economy), and health sciences (nursing science and health management science).

• Ali Mobasheri, BSc, ARCS, MSc, DPhil (Oxon) – Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology

CAPHRI

CAPHRI is a Research Institute within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University. CAPHRI works towards better health for everyone through innovative solutions for healthcare and public health care. CAPHRI builds bridges between science and society by conducting research with an inclusive and participatory approach. The research focuses on prevention and innovation ranging from public – and primary health care, to person-oriented long-term care.

Our research has a strong multidisciplinary approach with attention to local, regional and global themes embedded in six research lines: Ageing and Long-Term Care, Creating Value-Based Health Care, Functioning, Participation and Rehabilitation, Health Inequities and Societal Participation, Optimising Patient Care; and Promoting Health and Personalised Care.

• Dr Mickael Hiligsmann – Senior researcher

University of Basel

The University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland. Founded in 1460, today it has around 13,000 students and 4,700 researchers from over a hundred nations. Its internationally competitive research in the life sciences, translational medicine, quantum physics and nanosciences is reflected in the excellent publication record of the University’s scientists in these fields as well as a number of prestigious awards. International rankings regularly place the University of Basel among the top 100 universities worldwide. Situated in one of the largest life sciences hubs worldwide, the University of Basel cultivates successful collaborations with industry and academic partners.

Crossklinik

The Crossklinik in Basel is a private clinic for orthopedics and sports medicine. A team of specialized orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and sports scientists provides long-term care and surgical treatment for patients with musculo-skeletal diseases and injuries, particularly of the lower and upper extremities. The clinic offers more than 40,000 consultations per year. We treat patients of all age groups. However professional athletes and ambitious recreational athletes are a special client group. The clinic serves as a Swiss Olympic Medical Centre.

• Marcel Jakob – local principal investigator and surgeon
• Björn Zappe – surgeon
• Jana Laube – study nurse
• Cèline Portmann – administration
• Werner Vach – methodologist

University Hospital Basel

The University Hospital Basel is one of the leading medical centers in Switzerland with high internationally recognized standards. The close cooperation of the University Hospital Basel with Switzerland’s oldest university and the global, leading life science companies in Basel guarantees interdisciplinary treatment concepts and innovations in all medical disciplines at the highest level.

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint venture of the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientiststo advance our understanding of health and disease and to develop pioneering therapiesbenefiting the lives of patientsin areas of unmet need.

The Laboratory of Tissue Engineering belongs to the Department of Biomedicine in the University Hospital Basel, which ensures close interaction between laboratory and clinical applications. The core competence of the multidisciplinary group lies in stem cell and chondrocyte biology as well as in the engineering of cellular grafts based on autologous cells and porous 3D scaffolds to repair cartilage and bone tissues.

The GMP-Facility for Advanced Therapies embedded in the DBM supports the translational research projects from bench to bedside.

The Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) of the University Hospital Basel offers support for clinical trials regarding GCP regulations as well as monitoring.

• Prof. Dr. Ivan Martin – Scientific coordinator
• PD Dr. Marcus Mumme – Sponsor-PI
• Anke Wixmerten – Qualified Person & regulatory affairs
• Dr. Sylvie Miot – Quality Control & regulatory affairs
• Prof. Dr. Andrea Barbero – Manufacturing manager
• Dr. Thibaut Klein – Manufacturing (operator)
• Robert Paillaud – Manufacturing (operator)
• Francine Wolf – Manufacturing (operator)
• Dr. Gabriele Mild-Schneider – Administration

Angry@Arthritis

Angry@Arthritis is a non-profit 501(c)(3) focused on attacking and eliminating osteoarthritis. They provide the patient’s guide to OA, raise money to fund new cures, and advocate for OA to the U.S. Congress. Angry@Arthritis created the OA Fix, the first global OA Clinical Trial Locator and hosts a podcast with OA research and clinical experts focused on OA science and emerging treatments. 

Steve O’Keeffe is the founder of Angry@Arthritis. An Osteoarthritis patient, He started Angry@Arthritis to challenge the failing status quo – to provide a patient-centric resource for people who get an OA diagnosis.

• Steve O’Keeffe – patient representative

Geistlich

Geistlich produces innovative products for bone and cartilage regeneration which leverage the body’s own healing potential to regenerate bone and cartilage. Headquartered in Switzerland and entirely family owned since 1851, the company develops, produces, and markets medical devices for regenerative medicine all under one roof thanks to vertically integrated processes. Our focus is on helping people maintain and regain their quality of life. Chondro-Gide is the tested group in this project.

• Dr. Despoina Natsiou Schmiady – Group Lead Clinical Affairs

ReumaNederland

ReumaNederland is a patientorganisation, fundraising and grantgiving organisation. Focussing on OsteoArthritis and other Rheumatic diseases. With the aim to bring research to patients (with all kinds of financial instruments).

• drs. Corné Baatenburg de Jong