NESS ZIONA, Israel, August 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

CollPlant Ltd. (TASE: CLPT), a regenerative medicine company utilizing its proprietary plant-based rhCollagen technology for tissue repair products, today announced positive final extended clinical trial results for Vergenix™STR for the treatment of tendinopathy. The Company anticipates receiving CE mark approval for Vergenix^™STR in the third quarter of 2016.

The prospective, open label, single-arm trial was conducted at three leading Israeli hospitals (Meir Medical Center, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and Hadassah Hospital), and the trial's objective was to demonstrate the safety and performance of Vergenix^™STR in 40 patients suffering from inflammation of the elbow tendon, commonly referred to as tennis elbow. All patients were followed for a total of six months after a single treatment. Product performance was assessed by measuring reduction in pain and recovery of motion, as reported by the specific Patient Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation questionnaire ("PRTEE").

At three months following treatment, Vergenix™STR patients (N=39) reported an average PRTEE score improvement of 51% over baseline. At six-month follow-up, Vergenix™STR patients (N=36) reported a mean PRTEE score improvement of 59% over baseline.

The performance of Vergenix^™STR also compared favorably to published results of corticosteroid injection, which is the standard-of-care therapy for tennis elbow⁽¹⁾. At three months following treatment, 74% of Vergenix™STR patients reported a 25% or better PRTEE score improvement while, in the published controlled trial, 48% of steroid patients showed at least a 25% reduction in pain and disability⁽²⁾. Further, at six month follow-up, 86% of Vergenix™STR patients reported a 25% or better PRTEE score improvement, while 36% of steroid patients showed at least a 25% reduction in pain and disability.

An additional analysis utilizing a threshold of at least 50% improvement in PRTEE score showed that at three months following treatment, 62% of Vergenix™STR patients showed at least a 50% improvement in PRTEE score while, in the published controlled trial, 33% of steroid patients had at least a 50% reduction in pain and disability⁽³⁾. At six month follow-up, 64% of Vergenix™STR patients showed at least a 50% improvement in PRTEE score, while 17% of steroid patients showed at least a 50 % reduction in pain and disability.

(1) Positive Effect of an Autologous Platelet Concentrate in Lateral Epicondylitis in Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid injection with a one-year follow up. Peerbooms et Al, The America Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 38 No 2 2010
(2) Protocol for both studies follow-up periods defined trial success as achieving at least 25% reduction in pain and disability.
(3) Protocol for both studies follow-up periods defined trial success as achieving at least 50% reduction in pain and disability.

Yehiel Tal, Chief Executive Officer of CollPlant, stated, "We are very pleased with the final extended trial results, which we believe illustrate the significant potential advantages of Vergenix™STR over steroids, which are traditionally used as first line treatment for tendinopathy patients. CollPlant is making substantial progress towards commercialization, and we look forward to receiving CE Mark approval later this quarter, and making Vergenix™STR available to patients as soon as possible."

About Vergenix^™STR

Vergenix^™ STR, intended for the treatment of a range of tendon injuries, incorporates CollPlant's recombinant human collagen in combination with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from the patient's blood.  Following its injection into the injured site, the product transitions from a fluid to a solid phase, whereupon, it releases, in a controlled fashion, platelet-derived proteins. These proteins, in combination with collagen, induce the healing effect on the tendon.

About CollPlant 

CollPlant is a regenerative medicine company leveraging its proprietary, plant-based rhCollagen technology for the development and commercialization of tissue repair products, initially for the orthobiologics and advanced wound care markets. The Company's cutting-edge technology is designed to generate and process proprietary recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen), among other patent-protected recombinant proteins. Given that CollPlant's rhCollagen is identical to the type I collagen produced by the human body, it offers significant advantages compared to currently marketed tissue-derived collagen, including improved biofunctionality, superior homogeneity and reduced risk of immune response. The Company's broad development pipeline includes biomaterials indicated for orthopedics and advanced wound healing. Lead products include: Vergenix^™STR (Soft Tissue Repair Matrix), for the treatment of tendinopathy; Vergenix^™FG (Flowable Gel) wound filler, for treatment of acute and chronic wounds, and; Vergenix^™BVF (Bone Void Filler), for use in spinal fusion procedures and trauma. CollPlant's business strategy includes proprietary development and manufacturing of tissue repair products and their commercialization and distribution, together with leading third parties, alongside alliances with leading companies for joint development, manufacturing and marketing of additional products.

For more information about CollPlant, visit http://www.collplant.com

Contact at CollPlant:            
Eran Rotem                    
Chief Financial Officer            
Tel: +972-73-2325600/612            
Email: Eran@collplant.com            

Contact at Rx Communications Group, LLC
Paula Schwartz (for US Investors)
Managing Director
Tel: +1-917-322-2216
Email: pschwartz@RxIR.com

SOURCE CollPlant Ltd