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ATiO Conference 2025 : Breakthroughs in Osteoarthritis Treatment Highlighted by PROTO Project

1024 683 PROTO

At this year’s ATiO Conference https://atioalliance.org/conference-2025, Prof. Tobias Winkler showcased cutting-edge advancements from the PROTO Project—an EU-funded initiative led by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The project aims to intercept early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) through a unique combination of targeted immunomodulation and biomechanical re-education.

PROTO’s approach includes:

  • Local injection of PLX-PAD allogeneic placental cells to reduce low-grade joint inflammation.
  • A customized sensor-based digital training programme designed to correct gait abnormalities and prevent further cartilage deterioration.

 

In a major milestone, the consortium has now initiated randomized Phase I and II clinical trials in patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA. The trials incorporate advanced biomarker profiling to stratify patient responses and monitor real-time treatment outcomes.

During the “Research vs. Reaction” segment, Prof. Winkler distilled these developments into a focused seven-minute presentation, complemented by a three-minute industry response. This dynamic exchange reflected ATiO’s mission to unite scientific breakthroughs with practical expertise, driving forward transformative orthopedic care.