Wroclaw-based Bioceltix will help keep horses healthy. This could be a global breakthrough

Arthritis occurs in almost all physically active horses and most commonly affects sport horses, which are particularly exposed to the stresses of training. The disease manifests itself in pain, reduced locomotor performance, and lameness. Current treatment with traditional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with many side effects and, in the case of animals that compete professionally, it is virtually impossible because many of these drugs are on the list of banned substances. Meanwhile, the drug developed by Wroclaw-based Bioceltix heralds a global breakthrough in veterinary medicine and may hit veterinary shelves as early as next year.

One dose every three months is enough

According to Dr. Paweł Wielgus, member of the management board of Bioceltix, this is a very important moment for the company, as it crowns the many years of effort of the entire team to develop a drug eagerly awaited by the market, this time for arthritis in horses.

The BCX-EM clinical trial was a great success and confirmed the efficacy and safety of our product. We are therefore optimistic about the entire registration process. We have achieved all the objectives of the trial, and additional data analysis has confirmed that the therapeutic effect of the product persists even 3 months after a single dose.

Paweł Wielgus

Faster return to activity

In most cases, the use of the preparation after three months allows a return to physical activity. It also means shorter rehabilitation, and thus a reduction in costs associated with long-term treatment.

There is no widely available stem cell-based drug on the horse market, and competing products, due to the source of the cells and the production technology, are very difficult to obtain and therefore have niche applications.

Paweł Wielgus

Up to 7 million horses need help

According to Bioceltix specialists, there are approximately 7 million horses in Europe that are potential patients. This, combined with the high prices of drugs for these animals, which are around EUR 1,000 per dose, makes it a very attractive market in terms of value.

A new drug that inhibits inflammatory processes at the molecular level and protects joint cartilage could revolutionize the treatment of arthritis in horses. Such a product would not only reduce pain and improve mobility in horses, but also extend their active life.

Paweł Wielgus

Clinical trials promise success

The company has just submitted an application for a positive recommendation for BCX-EM to the European Medicines Agency. This is the EU-level institution responsible for issuing recommendations for the marketing authorisation of veterinary medicinal products. The authorisation itself is then granted on the basis of a decision by the European Commission and is valid in all EU Member States.

Bioceltix hopes that the process of obtaining marketing authorisation for the drugs will run smoothly, given the very good results of the clinical trial.

Helping animals recover

The Wroclaw-based company is working on biological drugs that use the immunomodulatory properties of stem cells. In addition to relieving pain, these products are designed to eliminate inflammation and be a safer, more effective, and longer-lasting alternative to existing therapies. The company wants to combat the most common diseases in companion animals, focusing on inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

The stem cell manufacturing facility, where Bioceltix drugs will ultimately be produced, is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2026.