Bone Biologics Completes $2 Million Financing Round

Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based Bone Biologics Corp. has completed a $2 million round of funding with Hankey Capital LLC based in Los Angeles, Calif. Bone Biologics is developing a proprietary protein for use in bone regenerative medicine using the patented recombinant human protein known as UCB-1 (or Nell-1) for use with patients undergoing spinal fusion.

“We are pleased with the completion of this round of funding which will allow the company to continue process development leading to the manufacturing of Nell-1 in preparation for human clinical trials to validate the technology in regenerative medicine for bone,” said Michael Schuler, CEO of Bone Biologics.

Nell-1 was developed by Bone Biologics in partnership with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF) as a more specific alternative to other bone growth factors used in health care today. In large animal studies, Nell-1 exhibited none of the side effects currently associated with other bone growth factors including ectopic bone growth, extraneous bone growth or cyst formation, the company reports. The next phase will be completing the development and testing work needed to seek regulatory approval for the initial pilot study in human clinical trials.

“We are very pleased that funding has been secured to supplement the initial funding provided by MTF,” said Bone Biologics board chairman Bruce Stroever, who is also president and CEO of MTF. “This brings to $7 million the total funding to date from Hankey Capital and we are pleased with their increased commitment to this exciting venture.  The technology discovered by UCLA and being developed by Bone Biologics has the potential to make a significant difference in patient’s lives, dramatically improving spinal fusion, while controlling healthcare costs.”

Bone Biologics is focused on developing regenerative medicine for bone applications.

Edison, N.J.-based non-profit organization The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation is a strategic partner of Bone Biologics, and is a national consortium comprised of leading organ procurement organizations, tissue recovery organizations and academic medical institutions.