Apligraf^® Bi-layered Cell Therapy Technology

Apligraf^® is Organogenesis' flagship technology and product. Apligraf^® was the first cell-based product approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and with 200,000 patient applications, it is the most widely used cell-based product today. The technology was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has been commercialized by Organogenesis in its pioneering development effort. 

Apligraf^® (left) has a structure remarkably similar to human skin

The Apligraf^® technology is comprised of a contracted collagen gel matrix and living keratinocytes and fibroblast cells. The collagen is combined with the fibroblasts to first form a dermal matrix, onto which keratinocytes are seeded to form an epidermal layer. Thus Apligraf^® is comprised of the two primary layers of skin.
Throughout the 20 day manufacturing process, a complex differentiated epidermis is formed that contains multiple layers including the outer protective stratum corneum layer of skin. Significantly, this complex structure is achieved while maintaining active proliferating cells.
As an active cell therapy, the two cell types in Apligraf^® produce over 40 cytokines and growth factors that are involved in the development, regeneration and healing of skin. It is the combination of young, healthy cells and numerous cytokines, growth factors and matrix proteins that are thought to play a central role in the effectiveness of Apligraf^® for the healing chronic wounds.

Extensive information on Apligraf^® can be found elsewhere on this website as well as Apligraf.com.