Co.Don
CO.DON GmbH is a German biopharmaceutical company developing personalized autologous cell therapies (Spherox, co.don chondrosphere) for the regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects, serving orthopedic and trauma surgeons across hospitals in Europe and Singapore.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Co.Don does
CO.DON GmbH is a Berlin- and Leipzig-headquartered biopharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures personalized cell therapies for the regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects in joints such as the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip, and elbow. Its core technology is Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI-M / M-ACT), a two-stage minimally invasive procedure in which a patient's own cartilage cells and blood serum are expanded into three-dimensional spheroid implants that are reimplanted to regenerate hyaline-like cartilage. The company manufactures under proprietary Integrated Isolator Technology (IIT), a 'clean room within a clean room' architecture developed to handle heat-sensitive cell therapies, and operates GMP-certified facilities at Teltow (sole manufacturing site since 2023) and Leipzig (registered office). The lead commercial product, Spherox, holds EU-wide marketing authorization with an indefinite renewal (May 2022), plus UK MHRA and Swissmedic approvals, while co.don chondrosphere is authorized in Germany.
The company sells prescription-only pharmaceutical products primarily to orthopedic and trauma surgeons in hospitals, with over 200 clinics in Germany, additional direct and partner-led distribution in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Austria, Switzerland, and Singapore, and an exclusive Asia licensing partnership with parent company ReLive Biotechnologies. Revenue streams include hospital product sales, contract manufacturing, and licensing income. Following insolvency of the former listed CO.DON AG, the operating business was acquired by ReLive Biotechnologies via Rejuvenate GmbH in January 2023 and continues as CO.DON GmbH, a private limited liability company, with leadership under Managing Director Dr. Ying Zhou. Across its history, the company's method has been used to treat over 20,000 patients, supported by published 5-year Phase III clinical data demonstrating non-inferiority versus microfracturing.
Co.Don firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Co.Don
- Legal name
- CO.DON GmbH
- Website
- https://codon.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CO.DON GmbH is a German biopharmaceutical company developing personalized autologous cell therapies (Spherox, co.don chondrosphere) for the regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects, serving orthopedic and trauma surgeons across hospitals in Europe and Singapore.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Co.Don industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cell Therapy Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cell Therapy Developers (Autologous) (HLAAABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services (GMP, autologous/allogeneic) (HLAAAKAC), Cartilage, Bone & Musculoskeletal Regeneration (HLAAAGAH)
Keywords
Where Co.Don is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Co.Don business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Spherox Product Sales: Sales of EU-approved autologous cell therapy product Spherox for cartilage defect treatment. Prescription-only pharmaceutical product used in hospitals by orthopedic and accident surgeons.
- Asian Licensing (ReLive Biotechnologies): Exclusive license agreement signed December 2021 for co.don chondrosphere and Spherox in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Taiwan. One-off payment of USD 2.75 million at signing, additional USD 5.5 million in milestone payments until market authorization, plus revenue share after market launch. License fees expected until at least June 2040.
- Contract Manufacturing: Industrial-scale production facility for human cells used for both in-house production and contract manufacturing services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Prescription pharmaceutical product - pricing not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Co.Don product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CO.DON develops, manufactures, and sells personalized cell therapy products (Spherox and co.don chondrosphere) for the regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects using Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (M-ACT). The products are three-dimensional spheroid cartilage cell implants manufactured from each patient's own cells and blood serum, administered by orthopedic surgeons in hospitals. The company also operates an industrial-scale GMP-certified manufacturing facility for human cells on a contract manufacturing basis.
Product overview
CO.DON is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in personalized cell therapies for regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects. The company offers two main products: Spherox (EU-wide authorized) and co.don chondrosphere (Germany-authorized), both based on matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACT/ACI-M). These are prescription-only pharmaceutical products consisting of three-dimensional cartilage cell implants manufactured individually from each patient's own chondrocytes and blood serum. The therapy is a two-stage, minimally invasive surgical procedure used in over 200 clinics, with more than 20,000 patients treated. Manufacturing is conducted at the Teltow site using Integrated Isolator Technology (IIT).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Spherox EU-wide authorized cell therapy product for regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects in the knee joint using matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACT). The product consists of three-dimensional spheroid cartilage cell implants manufactured individually from the patient's own chondrocytes, administered by orthopedic surgeons in hospitals.
- co.don chondrosphere Cell therapy product for cartilage defects authorized in Germany under §4b AMG, using the same matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation methodology as Spherox and consisting of three-dimensional spheroid implants manufactured from the patient's own cells.
- Contract Manufacturing of Human Cells Industrial-scale contract manufacturing of human cells using CO.DON's GMP-certified production facilities and proprietary Integrated Isolator Technology (IIT), offered to third parties needing production capacity for cell-based products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20,000 patients treated with CO.DON's method
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Co.Don
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Co.Don technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Co.Don partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- micro2MACRO (m2M) ConsortiumminorEU-funded project (GA 101191729) focused on developing bioprinting platform for tissue regeneration. CO.DON contributes over 30 years of regenerative medicine experience and regulatory expertise as EU-approved cell therapy holder. Project aims to pattern cell aggregates into personalized grafts for tissue repair.
- Bauerfeind BeneluxminorPartnership for Belgian market distribution via CO.DON's Dutch subsidiary. Belgium market entry enabled by positive INAMI cost-benefit assessment and inclusion on reimbursable products list.
- JOINT OPERATIONS (UK) LLPcoreExclusive 3-year distribution agreement for Spherox in United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Defines minimum order quantities. CO.DON retains defined responsibilities and supports throughout distribution period. JOINT OPERATIONS is a human tissue bank and regenerative medicine specialist.
- ReLive Biotechnologies (Nanjing) Co., Ltd.coreExclusive license agreement for co.don chondrosphere and Spherox in Asian markets (China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan). One-off payment of USD 2.75 million, milestone payments of USD 5.5 million until market authorization, plus revenue share after launch. License fees expected until at least June 2040. Part of broader ReLive Group acquisition in January 2023.
- Deutsche Knorpelakademie (German Cartilage Academy)minorUmbrella organization for specialist societies committed to cartilage regeneration and joint preservation. QKG is operating specialist society.
- Gesellschaft für Knorpelregeneration & Gelenkerhalt e.V. (QKG)minorProfessional association for doctors and physiotherapists founded 2009. Strives to support cartilage regeneration and joint preservation in research and training.
- Deutsche Kniegesellschaft e.V.minorGerman Knee Society founded 2012 in Munich with over 1,000 members. Promotes research, further education and training for doctors, therapists and scientists in knee joint injuries and diseases.
- AGA - Gesellschaft für Arthroskopie und GelenkchirurgieminorGerman-speaking scientific association for arthroscopy with over 6,500 members - Europe's largest professional society for arthroscopy and joint surgery.
- Winglet CommunityminorCME-certified premium medical education platform offering content with world's best experts in video formats. Focus on evidence-based, topical and quality medical education.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Co.Don competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stryker Corporation: Large medical technology company with orthopedic surgery portfolio including sports medicine and cartilage repair instruments. Indirect competitor via broader orthopedic surgery offerings.
- DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson MedTech): Orthopedic surgery franchise of J&J MedTech with comprehensive sports medicine and joint preservation portfolio. Indirectly competes in cartilage repair through microfracture instruments and orthobiologics.
- Geistlich Pharma: Swiss family-owned pharmaceutical/medical device company specializing in bone graft substitutes (Bio-Oss) and regenerative dentistry/orthopedics. Comparable as a European-headquartered orthobiologics/regenerative medicine player.
- Bioventus: US-based orthobiologics company offering joint preservation therapies including hyaluronic acid (DUROLANE) and emerging regenerative medicine products. Operates adjacent in the cartilage/joint preservation market.
- Anika Therapeutics: US-based orthopedics company offering hyaluronic acid joint therapies (e.g., Monovisc, Orthovisc) and other joint pain management products. Competes indirectly with CO.DON in the cartilage/joint preservation market with a less invasive approach.
- Zimmer Biomet: Global orthopedic medical device leader offering joint reconstruction implants and orthobiologics. Competes in joint preservation/restoration adjacent to CO.DON's cartilage regeneration therapy.
Direct peers
- MEDIPOST: Korean biotech commercializing Cartistem® (allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells) for cartilage regeneration. Competes in the same regenerative cartilage repair space as CO.DON with an alternative cell therapy approach (allogeneic vs autologous).
- Vericel Corporation: US-based biotech (MACI®) developing autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane for cartilage repair. Closest direct competitor to CO.DON's Spherox and the only other commercially marketed autologous chondrocyte implantation product globally.
- TiGenix (now Takeda): Belgian-Spanish cell therapy developer of Cx601 (darvadstrocel) acquired by Takeda. Previously Europe's leading autologous cell therapy player; useful reference for regulatory pathway and commercial lessons despite different therapeutic focus.
Emerging players
- Histogenics Corporation: US-based regenerative medicine company (formerly NeoCart) developing autologous cartilage tissue engineering therapies. Direct historical comparator to CO.DON's autologous chondrocyte approach though currently inactive/in restructuring.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Co.Don social profiles
Digital presenceCo.Don compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Co.Don financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Co.Don leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Co.Don subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Co.Don funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Co.Don M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Co.Don
What does Co.Don do?
CO.DON develops, manufactures, and sells personalized cell therapy products (Spherox and co.don chondrosphere) for the regenerative treatment of articular cartilage defects using Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (M-ACT). The products are three-dimensional spheroid cartilage cell implants manufactured from each patient's own cells and blood serum, administered by orthopedic surgeons in hospitals. The company also operates an industrial-scale GMP-certified manufacturing facility for human cells on a contract manufacturing basis.
Is Co.Don a public or private company?
Co.Don is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Co.Don founded?
Co.Don was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Co.Don based?
Co.Don is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Co.Don make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Spherox Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are asian Licensing (ReLive Biotechnologies) and contract Manufacturing.
Who are Co.Don's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stryker Corporation, DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson MedTech), Geistlich Pharma, Bioventus, Anika Therapeutics and Zimmer Biomet. Direct peers are MEDIPOST, Vericel Corporation and TiGenix (now Takeda). Histogenics Corporation is listed as an emerging player.
Does Co.Don have an API?
No public API is recorded for Co.Don.
What industry is Co.Don in?
Co.Don's product category is Cell Therapy Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAA, Cell Therapy Developers (Autologous), with a secondary code of HLAAAKAC, Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services (GMP, autologous/allogeneic). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.