Anika Therapeutics Announces Strategic Collaboration with the Institute of Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool to Develop an Innovative Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Anika Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ: ANIK), a global, integrated orthopedic medicines company specializing in therapeutics based on its proprietary hyaluronic acid ("HA") technology, today announced an agreement with the Institute of Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool to collaborate on research to develop an injectable mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).

The purpose of this three-year research collaboration is to develop a novel MSC therapy for the treatment of OA, and if successful, is expected to yield a lead candidate that will move toward clinical development within a year of the collaboration’s completion.

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting over 230 million people globally. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back, neck, small joints of the fingers, and the bases of the thumb and big toe. In normal joints, cartilage covers the end of each bone and acts as a cushion between the bones. However, osteoarthritis causes this cartilage to break down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint.

“We are very excited to partner with the University of Liverpool and Professor Hollander to continue his research into an innovative treatment for osteoarthritis patients,” said Dr. Charles H. Sherwood, Chief Executive Officer, Anika Therapeutics. “This research will consist of a novel product design and pre-clinical testing, that has the potential to produce an advanced therapy to treat the joint damage and pain caused by this debilitating condition.”

Anthony Hollander, the Head of the Institute of Integrative Biology, said, “Cellular therapy is already being used in some countries for osteoarthritis with some evidence that it transiently reduces pain. Our new approach to cellular therapy may provide a durable treatment for osteoarthritis.” He added, "This collaboration with Anika will allow us to accelerate any discoveries through to clinical and commercial development.”

About the Institute for Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool

The Institute of Integrative Biology (IIB; https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/integrative-biology/) provide one of the most vibrant and integrated biosciences environments in the UK. The Institute comprises 220 staff (including 75 Principal Investigators) and 150 postgraduate students. With a research income of ~£9.5m annually. Scientists deliver ground-breaking research within four key research themes, including the Centre for Genomic Research, the Centre for Proteome Research,, the Centre for Cell Imaging, and the NMR Centre for Structural Biology. The IIB has a large impact throughout the world, through major partnerships with large companies such as Unilever and AstraZeneca, and strong global links into major research enterprises in Japan, Brazil, USA and China.