Regenerative cartilage therapy
Get Back to
Movement.
For the 500 million people affected, current treatments only offer temporary relief or ultimately require joint replacement.
When cartilage breaks down
When cartilage is damaged, whether from a sports injury or the slow progression of osteoarthritis, current options remain the same: manage the pain, delay the inevitable, replace the joint.
500 million people live with osteoarthritis worldwide. They are given painkillers, injections and physiotherapy. Treatments that buy time but do not address the underlying biology of cartilage loss.
For younger, active patients with focal cartilage defects, the unmet need is sharpest. The damage is localised, the rest of the joint is healthy. They’re ready to move, but no approved therapy exists to regenerate what was lost.
People living with osteoarthritis.
Disease-modifying therapies approved for OA.
Current treatments before joint replacement are symptom-only.
The breakthrough
The answer came from an unexpected place: your nose.
Nasal cartilage cells (chondrocytes) possess a unique regenerative capacity that enables them to adapt and form joint-like cartilage after implantation. Unlike chondrocytes harvested from the knee, they retain their ability to proliferate robustly and generate mature cartilage tissue even in older individuals. They can be obtained through a simple, minimally invasive biopsy of the nasal septum, leaving the damaged joint completely untouched (Pelttari et al., Science Translational Medicine, 2014).
of research at the University of Basel
Phase I & II RCT
clinical evidence in focal defects
One conclusion:
CartileniX is unique
*Phase I (safety): 25 patients (Fulco et al. 2014; Mumme et al. 2016). Phase II (clinical benefit, matured vs non-matured grafts): 108 patients (Mumme et al. 2024/2025). Phase II/III ongoing in patellofemoral OA (ENCANTO): 225 patients across 11 centres, 8 countries, including placebo control.
The engine behind healing
More than a therapy. A complete service ecosystem.
Cell therapies fail when the science works but the logistics don’t. CartileniX was built to ensure the therapy reaches every patient seamlessly.
The surgeon focuses on the surgery.
CartileniX handles everything else.
HOW WE HELP YOU HEAL
From biopsy to movement.
In five steps.
Analysis
A companion diagnostic kit identifies if you're the right candidate for CartileniX therapy.Biopsy
A small tissue sample is taken from your nasal septum. Minimally invasive. The knee is never touched.Building New Cartilage
Your cells are expanded on a collagen scaffold in a GMP-certified laboratory, growing into a mature cartilage tissue graft.Surgery
Your orthopaedic surgeon implants the engineered tissue into the damaged area. One procedure.Rehabilitation
A tailored rehab program, including trained physiotherapy and a digital app, gets you back to movement.Inside the science
1
Preclinical
2
Phase I
3
Phase II
Focal Defects
4
Phase II
Osteoarthritis
225 patients across 11 centres and 8 countries. The ENCANTO trials are the first large-scale RCTs evaluating a cell therapy for patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Results expected 2028.
FROM CONCEPT TO TREATMENT
*for focal defect
GMP-compliant manufacturing workflow established. Ready to go.
AN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
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De-risked by clinical evidence
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A market with high unmet need
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Platform, not just a product
CartileniX is a full-service ecosystem, including a biomarker-based patient-selection tool (in development), an ENT biopsy network, GMP-aligned manufacturing, logistics, standardised rehabilitation protocols, and a digital patient app.
4
Clear path to market
GMP-ready manufacturing process established. Regulatory pathway under discussion with Swissmedic and the EMA. Initial market entry in focal cartilage defects targeted for 2027. Seed funding will support company formation and the transition from a clinically validated therapy to commercial launch.
Built on 15 years of research and clinical validation, CartileniX is advancing the next generation of regenerative cartilage therapies.
SUPPORTED BY
THE TEAM
Science meets execution.
Team members:
Dr. Kay Horsch
CEO
PhD in Cell Biology (Basel). 15+ years in medical devices & biotech. Built a global network in orthopaedics and regenerative medicine. Drives business development and partnerships.
Prof. Dr. Ivan Martin
President of the Board
Dr. Kim Jeucken
Fundraising Manager
Biotech fundraising and investor relations expert. Connects with VCs, family offices, and corporate investors. Structures investment rounds for early and long-term financing.
Dr. Sebastian Häusner
CTO
In partnership with
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CARTILAGE REPAIR
The joint that didn't need to be replaced.
The patient who got their life back.
CartileniX delivers the first disease-modifying, joint-preserving cell therapy for osteoarthritis. By 2030, the standard of care in Germany and Switzerland.
By 2031, expanding across Europe and into new indications. The company that began in a Basel research lab, becoming the defining name in regenerative orthopaedics worldwide.
We’re currently in clinical trials with market entry planned for 2027.
Register your interest to be among the first to access and support regenerative cartilage therapy.