Crosscart, Inc

CrossCart, Inc. has developed proprietary antigen stripping and sterilization techniques which safely allow the use of animal tissue in humans. CrossCart's technology is applicable to a variety of medical devices in the orthopaedics, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery and aesthetic fields, including ligaments, cartilage, bone, heart valves, soft tissue patches and injectable porcine collagen for use in dermatologic (wrinkle removal) procedures. CrossCart's first product, the Z-LigTM, is a device for the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments. The Z-Lig is currently in human clinical trials. Technology Description: The major stumbling block for transplantation of animal tissues into humans has been tissue rejection. The primary cause of this rejection has been identified as a cell and matrix surface carbohydrate antigen called alphagalactosyl epitope ("a-Gal"). The a-Gal antigen is recognized as foreign by the human immune system and causes immunologic rejection of transplanted animal tissue. Dr. Kevin Stone developed and patented an enzymatic method to permanently remove a-Gal from de-vitalized porcine connective tissues. Dr. Stone and Dr. Uri Galili, CrossCart Senior Scientist and a leading expert on transplantation immunology, completed a series of scientific studies that showed elimination of implant rejection through removal of the a-Gal epitope. Additional proprietary treatments further diminish tissue specific antigen recognition and modulate the cellular...