ReLive Biotechnologies Ltd. Announces Acquisition of Co.Don AG and Files IPO Prospectus

A Global Wave of M&A Sweeps the Regenerative Medicine Sector.

On the evening of October 17 (German time), ReLive Biotechnologies Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ReLive” or the “Company”) announced that it had formally signed an agreement to fully acquire the major assets of Co.Don AG (stock code: CNW.DF), a publicly listed company in Germany. The acquisition is expected to be completed in November 2022.

ReLive China Headquarters - Nanjing

Public information indicates that Co.Don AG is a German biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development, production, and sales of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine products. Its core product, Spherox, is the only cell therapy product formally approved in Europe (including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other countries) for the repair and regeneration of articular cartilage, and it serves as a counterpart to MACI, the flagship product of the U.S.-based Vericel Corporation (NASDAQ: VCEL).^®One of only two globally renowned cartilage repair and regeneration products that have officially received marketing authorization from regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States. To date, Spherox has successfully treated more than 17,000 patients with severe articular cartilage defects in Europe, fully demonstrating its safety and efficacy.

ReLive is a leading enterprise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, focusing on the repair and regeneration of tissues and organs. The company’s founder, Dr. Zhao Xing, has dedicated many years to this field. He completed his doctoral education and postdoctoral research in regenerative medicine at two of the world’s top institutions: the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands and Harvard Medical School in the United States. Later, he served as Head of R&D and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee at Vericel Corporation (NASDAQ: VCEL), a leading U.S. regenerative medicine company, where he witnessed the launch of Vericel’s flagship product, MACI, in 2017.^®The entire process of approval for market launch in the United States. Since its establishment, ReLive has built R&D, clinical, and CMC teams in Boston, USA, as well as in Nanjing and Beijing, China, and has established a Strategic and Scientific Advisory Board composed of top global scholars, clinical experts, and industry leaders in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

GMP-Level Production and Quality Control Laboratory (Swipe Up or Down to View More)

In this transaction, ReLive acquired all core assets of Co.Don AG through its German subsidiary, including global intellectual property rights related to Spherox, two internationally leading GMP-grade production facilities, and associated quality control systems, thereby completing its layout for global intellectual property rights and European commercialization in one stroke. Dr. Zhao Xing stated, “Co.Don AG is one of the global leaders in cellular therapy for articular cartilage defects. It holds the only product approved in the European Union and possesses the world’s top-tier commercial GMP production and quality control system, making it a scarce asset globally. This acquisition will help enhance and support ReLive’s subsequent R&D efforts, including those for its off-the-shelf cartilage repair cell therapy products, and signifies that the company’s global strategy has officially taken shape.”

Tilmann Bur, CEO of Co.Don, believes that following this acquisition, the company will embark on a promising new future, and patients will continue to have access to the highest quality treatments. “We are filled with pride and gratitude, and we hope to achieve this goal through the relentless efforts of all our employees and new shareholders.”

Dr. Zhao Xing stated that, moving forward, ReLive will focus on mobilizing resources across China, the United States, and Europe. The company will conduct independent research and development in Boston, the global hub of biotechnology; manufacture existing products and manage global sales from Germany, one of Europe’s most dynamic biotech nations; and continue to develop the vast Greater China market. By addressing clinical gaps in cartilage repair in China, ReLive aims to provide safe, effective, long-lasting, and cost-effective solutions for a large number of patients with severe articular cartilage defects. Meanwhile, the company will actively pursue technology transfer or licensing agreements for its existing products with numerous potential strategic partners in ASEAN countries, South America, the Middle East, Mexico, Japan, and other regions, thereby continuously expanding its global commercial footprint.

At the product R&D level, ReLive is not limited to the orthopedic field. It will continue to collaborate with international institutions such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as industry leaders, to continuously innovate and expand its product portfolio and broaden its areas of application. The company will leverage cutting-edge cell and gene therapy technologies alongside the in-depth development and integrated application of novel biological scaffold materials. Targeting fields such as orthopedic sports medicine—including articular hyaline cartilage, osteochondral, and meniscal repair—and plastic and reconstructive surgery—including external ear reconstruction—ReLive is committed to becoming an international leader in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.