Service & Support
Answers to the most important questions about RegMed Vet – for veterinarians and horse owners.
General Veterinary FAQ
Fundamental questions about RegMed Vet for veterinary practices
RegMed Vet utilises the clinically established methodology of adipose stem cell therapy, while consistently optimising the extraction process. The system works autologously, enzyme-free and without allogeneic stem cells. Processing is performed without centrifugation, exclusively via filtration and modern fluid mechanical separation using patented 3D-printed filters. Internal laboratory tests with equine fat demonstrate a very high cell and SVF yield, at least comparable to centrifuge-based methods and frequently exceeding them. The entire process takes under five minutes and is ideally suited for point-of-care application.
An extensive body of preclinical and clinical evidence exists for the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and the associated secretome (including exosomes) in horses. In established equine osteoarthritis models, intra-articularly administered SVF and MSC preparations demonstrated significant effects on inflammatory parameters, the joint environment and clinical lameness, with very good tolerability. Clinical studies in naturally occurring degenerative joint disease (DJD) also confirm a relevant reduction in lameness, in some cases after just one to two treatments within a 90-day follow-up. Controlled experimental studies on tendon and ligament lesions additionally show improved histological fibre organisation and reduced inflammatory response following application of adipose cell fractions.
Compared to PRP or IRAP, which act primarily via growth factor- or cytokine-based mechanisms, adipose stem cells exert additional cellular and paracrine effects. These include immunomodulation, regulation of the inflammatory environment and regenerative signals via exosomes. Surgical interventions remain essential for structural defects, while adipose stem cell therapies are particularly beneficial in early to moderate stages and as an adjunctive measure postoperatively.
Treatment success is assessed using standardised lameness scores (e.g. AAEP), objective gait analysis, clinical functional evaluation and imaging procedures (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI). Studies additionally employ synovial biomarkers and histological endpoints.
The effect of adipose stem cells is predominantly based on paracrine mechanisms. The cells act in an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative manner. Exosomes and soluble factors play a central role, positively influencing the local tissue environment and supporting the body's own regenerative capacity.
RegMed Vet employs a multi-stage safety and quality concept. Extensive laboratory and practical testing was carried out prior to market launch. For the first veterinary practices and clinics, close scientific supervision is provided, including standardised clinical monitoring, outcome documentation and adverse event tracking.
According to the current body of evidence, there is no increased tumour risk associated with autologous, minimally manipulated adipose stem cell preparations. No treatment-related oncological adverse effects have been reported in equine studies.
Quality Assurance & Production
GMP, ISO and production standards in detail
We produce our treatment sets and filter housings in a cleanroom in accordance with GMP and ISO standards. Technologically, we thereby meet the requirements of the FDA and EMA for a medical technology product intended for human medicine.
Batch traceability is ensured throughout the entire supply chain. The selection of suppliers and materials used (e.g. food-grade approval for the filament, biodegradable filament) and alignment with human medicine standards gives us a high level of process safety. Contact time of our (purchased) products with biological material is minimised and limited to a few minutes, so the risk of chemical contamination of the biological material is low. Biological hazards are minimised through aseptic manufacturing processes for the filter housing, connectors and tubing, as well as subsequent sterilisation of the packaged sets.
Machine: type plate Filter housing: QR code, database with regard to manufacturing date and supplier batches used Treatment sets: batch traceability via barcodes in accordance with medical technology standards
Logistics & Cold Chain
Transport, storage and delivery safely organised
Due to their biocompatibility requirements, process demands and – last but not least – partial biodegradability, the plastics used have limited temperature and UV resistance. Storage and operating conditions should be at room temperature, protected from light. During transport, temperatures up to 30 °C are briefly permissible; temperatures below room temperature are not critical. Pressure on the filter housing – e.g. from the saline solution bags, particularly during the multi-hour warming phase to body temperature in the transport box – must be avoided, as this can damage the delicate internal structures in the µm range. Relative humidity should be between 20–70%.
This is the responsibility of the treating veterinarian.
The general hygiene requirements of veterinary medicine for minimally invasive procedures must be observed. The collection site at the croup is recommended, as the adipose tissue there is particularly well-suited and the risk of inflammation is lowest at that location.
If the set is available in stock, standard delivery times according to the logistics partner apply. In addition, a warming time – particularly for the saline solution – to body temperature must be factored in, which takes approximately 8 hours due to the laws of thermodynamics.
Veterinary & User Safety for Veterinarians
Safety and application from a veterinary perspective
According to the current veterinary literature, the indications are used primarily for musculoskeletal conditions. These include in particular arthritis, lameness, and tendon and muscle injuries. In addition, scientific studies demonstrate a supportive effect in wound healing. The application is always used alongside veterinary diagnostics and therapy, and is tailored to the individual clinical presentation of each animal.
The harvesting procedure is minimally invasive and is generally only briefly uncomfortable (comparable to a small subcutaneous tissue collection). Pain control is standardised via: Local anaesthesia (infiltration of local anaesthetics by the treating veterinarian), sedative co-medication if required, depending on the patient and setting, peri- and post-procedural analgesia at clinical discretion. Due to the small access trauma and use of small cannulas/harvesting systems, the burden on the animal is typically low.
The risks correspond essentially to the known, low risks of a standardised subcutaneous fat tissue harvesting procedure (primarily haematoma/seroma, local swelling, rarely local infection, very rarely wound dehiscence). In the literature on equine adipose cell/SVF/MSC harvesting, donor site morbidity is described as generally low overall; one study on the collection of equine adipose-derived MSCs reports, for example, that sample collection had no adverse effects on the donors. PMC Clinical reports on applications with (micro-)fragmented adipose tissue also describe no serious complications in connection with processing/application in the reported cases. Thieme Connect Importantly: aseptic technique, correct skin/surgical field management and clear post-procedure instructions further reduce the already low risk.
The set is designed as a single-use product. Batch/application traceability is ensured via QR code. The complete system (including liposuction/harvesting components and filter pathway) is designed for practical, standardised and hygienic single use, thereby meeting the quality and safety requirements common in veterinary medicine (contamination minimisation, process safety, traceability).
Detachment and "migration" of material is very unlikely, as small drawing-up/injection needles are used and the process pathway is designed such that no freely moving, larger fragments can enter the application. Additionally, the material in question is made of biodegradable plastic, which further reduces the risk of long-term persistence. (Regardless: correct handling/assembly and visual inspection in accordance with the IFU are mandatory.)
AE/adverse event monitoring is structured in two stages: 1. Close veterinary follow-up checks (wound/collection site, pain, swelling, lameness/functional parameters if applicable, healing progress, outcome). 2. Additionally, scientific supervision is provided during the early-user phase (e.g. structured data collection, follow-up checkpoints, evaluation of outcomes and AE signals) by the RegMed Vet team and accompanying study activities.
Training and implementation are carried out by the RegMed Vet sales team (including instruction in workflow, indication assessment, hygiene/handling standards and documentation). Support is continuous and personal (on-site/remote support, refresher training, Q&A, accompaniment of the first applications).
Veterinary & User Safety for Horse Owners
What horse owners should know about the therapy
The harvesting procedure is minimally invasive and hardly painful for most animals. Your veterinarian uses local anaesthetics (similar to "numbing" the skin), so that your animal feels as little as possible during the procedure. If necessary, light sedation and pain medication can also be administered. Overall, the burden on the animal is generally low.
As with any minor collection procedure, mild swelling, a small bruise (haematoma) or temporary sensitivity may occur. Infections are rare when clean, sterile working methods are used. Studies on adipose tissue/cell harvesting in horses describe the procedure as generally well tolerated; scientific publications report that the collection had no adverse effects on the donors. PMC Your veterinarian will also explain what to look out for in the days following the procedure (e.g. monitoring the collection site).
The set used is a single-use set. This means it is used for one animal only and is not reused afterwards. This keeps the risk of contamination as low as possible. In addition, traceability is ensured via a QR code.
This is very unlikely. Very small needles/cannulas are used, and the system is designed so that no larger parts can enter the body. Furthermore, the material is made of biodegradable plastic, which can break down in the body over time.
Your animal will be closely monitored by a veterinarian after the procedure – in particular the collection site and the healing progress. In addition, the first applications are scientifically supervised so that experiences and outcomes can be evaluated in a structured manner. Thieme Connect
Veterinarians are trained by the RegMed Vet team. Even after introduction, personal support and assistance are provided to ensure that the application can be safely and smoothly integrated into everyday practice.
Still have questions?
Our team is available at any time – write to us or arrange a personal consultation.
A Selection of Studies and
Further Information
Peer-reviewed publications that underpin the scientific basis of RegMed Vet.
Clinical & Preclinical Studies – Horse
Broeckx, S. et al. (2014)
Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of degenerative joint disease in horses.
Equine Veterinary Journal, 46(5), 582–588.
→ Clinical OA study, lameness reduction, good tolerability.
McIlwraith, C. W. et al. (2011)
Comparison of intra-articular injection of bone marrow-derived MSCs and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in an equine osteoarthritis model.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 29(12), 1831–1838.
→ Established OA model, SVF/MSC vs. control, inflammation & joint environment.
Frisbie, D. D. et al. (2009)
Evaluation of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 70(7), 874–884.
→ Preclinical evidence, intra-articular SVF application.
Tendon & Ligament Injuries
Nixon, A. J. et al. (2008)
Insulin-like growth factor-I gene therapy and adipose-derived nucleated cell fraction in equine tendinitis.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 26(11), 1461–1468.
→ Improved histological structure in tendinitis.
Smith, R. K. W. et al. (2013)
Adipose-derived stem cells improve tendon healing in the horse.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 4: 133.
→ Fibre organisation, reduced inflammation.
Geburek, F. et al. (2017)
Treatment of tendon lesions in horses with autologous MSCs.
Veterinary Surgery, 46(2), 234–244.
→ Clinical relevance, rehabilitation-dependent outcome.
Mechanisms, SVF & Exosomes
Caplan, A. I. & Correa, D. (2011)
The MSC: an injury drugstore.
Cell Stem Cell, 9(1), 11–15.
→ Paracrine mechanism of action, immunomodulation.
Harrell, C. R. et al. (2019)
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and regenerative medicine.
Cell Transplantation, 28(4), 447–460.
→ Exosomes as primary active agents.
de Girolamo, L. et al. (2019)
Exosomes as new players in regenerative medicine.
Journal of Translational Medicine, 17: 176.
→ Exosome mechanism in regenerative medicine.
Safety & Tumour Risk
Guest, D. J. et al. (2015)
Safety of mesenchymal stem cells in veterinary regenerative medicine.
Veterinary Journal, 204(3), 255–263.
→ No evidence of tumorigenesis with autologous, minimally manipulated cells.
Fortier, L. A. & Travis, A. J. (2011)
Stem cells in veterinary medicine.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2: 9.
→ Overview of the safety profile of veterinary stem cell therapies.
Review Articles / Classification of Orthobiologics
Ortved, K. F. (2018)
Regenerative medicine for equine osteoarthritis.
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 34(1), 35–54.
→ Comprehensive overview of regenerative approaches in equine OA.
McIlwraith, C. W. et al. (2016)
Biologic therapies in the management of equine joint disease.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 43, 1–10.
→ Comparison of biological therapies, clinical classification.
