Maci Implant
FDA Label NDC 69866-1030

MACI^® (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) is an autologous cellularized scaffold product indicated for the repair of single or multiple symptomatic, full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee with or without bone involvement in adults.

Limitations of Use

• Effectiveness of MACI in joints other than the knee has not been established.
• Safety and effectiveness of MACI in patients over the age of 55 years have not been established.

For Autologous Implantation Only.

Contact Vericel at 1-800-453-6948 or www.MACI.com regarding training materials for surgical implantation of MACI.

• The amount of MACI implanted depends on the size (surface area in cm²) of the cartilage defect. The surgeon should trim the MACI implant to the size and shape of the defect, to ensure the damaged area is completely covered.
• MACI implant is for single-use. Multiple implants may be used if there is more than one defect. The size of MACI is adjusted for the size of each cartilage defect.

Preparation

• Confirm that the patient’s identity matches the patient’s identifiers on the MACI labels.
• Inspect the sealed MACI packaging for leaks and for any evidence of damage or contamination.
• DO NOT USE if the patient identifiers do not match, or there are signs of damage to the packaging. Contact MACI representative immediately or call Vericel Customer Care at 1-800-453-6948.
• Keep MACI at room temperature in its original packaging (outer shipping box). Do not unpack the MACI shipping box until the surgical site has been prepared.

Implantation Procedure

• Perform implantation procedure during arthrotomy using sterile surgical techniques.
• Follow the implantation with an appropriate, physician-prescribed rehabilitation program [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Preparing Defect

• For chondral defects, remove all damaged and fibrous tissue on the defect bed. Debride the defect bed back to stable cartilage with vertical walls down to the subchondral bone by removing as little healthy cartilage as possible (Figure 1). Do not penetrate the subchondral bone.

  Figure 1: Preparing Defect Bed

  

  Figure 1 (Maci 01)

• For osteochondral defects, debride the defect bed back to stable cartilage with vertical walls down to healthy stable bone.
• Avoid bleeding through the subchondral plate. If bleeding occurs, use a suitable hemostatic agent to control the bleeding.

Creating Defect Template

• Create an exact template of the defect (Figure 2).

  Figure 2: Creating Defect Template

  

  Figure 2 (Maci 02)

• Create orientation markers on the template to assist with proper orientation of the MACI implant. Turn the marked template over to ensure that the cells will be properly placed into the defect.

Preparing MACI Implant

• Unpacking MACI implant box (outside sterile field).
  • – Unpack MACI implant shipping box.
  • – Remove the outer bag containing a covered dish holding the MACI implant.
    Note: Keep the dish upright at all times.
  • – Remove the self-seal pouch containing the dish from the outer bag (Figure 3).

    Figure 3: Covered Dish in Self-Sealed Pouch

    

    Figure 3 (Maci 03)

  • – Tear notches on the self-seal pouch to open the pouch and remove the covered dish.
    Note: Do not remove the MACI implant from the dish until ready to be used.
  • Unpacking the MACI implant dish (Figure 4)
    • – When ready, a team member outside the sterile field but adjacent to the sterile prep table, will twist open and remove the lid from the dish.
    • – Sterile field team member using sterile forceps will remove and discard the inner 5-pronged ring.
    • – Sterile field team member will use 2 sterile non-tooth forceps to grasp the MACI implant corners and place the MACI implant onto the sterile work surface.

      Figure 4: Unpacking MACI Implant

      

      Figure 4 (Maci 04)

    • – The MACI implant has a rough side and a smooth side. The cells are seeded on the rough side and are facing up in the MACI dish. A notch in the lower left corner of the implant indicates that the cell-side is facing up. The cell-side of the MACI implant should remain facing up at all times until placement into the defect.
      Note: The MACI implant must remain hydrated with the shipping media. Use the media from the dish to hydrate the implant if it ever starts to become dry after removal from the dish.
    • Shaping the MACI implant
      • – To maintain proper orientation, turn the template over and place it underneath the MACI implant, against the smooth, non-seeded side. The template should be visible through the translucent implant.
        Note:Ensure minimal contact with the cell-seeded surface of the MACI implant.
      • – Using the template as a guide, cut the MACI implant to the correct size and shape.
      • – Place the custom-cut implant into a sterile intermediary dish, ensuring the cell-side up orientation and with adequate media from shipping dish to keep the implant hydrated.
      • – Place any remaining MACI implant into a separate intermediary dish with adequate media from the shipping dish to keep the implant hydrated. Discard if unused by the end of the implantation.

      Placing MACI Implant

      • Ensure defect area is dry and free of bleeding.
      • Apply a thin layer of fibrin sealant to the entire base of the defect (bone) bed.
      • Maintaining appropriate rotational orientation, place the custom-cut implant onto the defect bed cell-side down.
      • Apply light digital pressure to the implant for approximately 3 minutes.
      • Fibrin sealant may also be applied to the rim (periphery) of the implant. MACI implant fixation may also be supplemented with interrupted resorbable sutures if desired or if conditions warrant, particularly if the defect is uncontained (ie, the cartilage defect is not 100% surrounded by a stable cartilage rim) or the lesion is larger than 10 cm².

A physician-prescribed rehabilitation program that includes early mobilization, joint range of motion, and weight bearing is recommended to promote graft maturation and reduce the risk of graft delamination, postoperative thromboembolic events, and joint stiffness. Stage this program to promote a progressive return to full joint range of motion and weight-bearing as well as muscle strengthening and conditioning. Return to recreational and sporting activity should be in consultation with healthcare professionals.

MACI implant is available as a cellular sheet, 3 x 5 cm, with a 0.5-cm² section removed from the lower left-hand corner, consisting of autologous cultured chondrocytes on a resorbable Type I/III collagen membrane at a density of at least 500,000 cells per cm².

MACI is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions:

• Known history of hypersensitivity to gentamicin, other aminoglycosides, or products of porcine or bovine origin. [see Description (11)]
• Severe osteoarthritis of the knee (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4).
• Inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory joint disease, or uncorrected congenital blood coagulation disorders.
• Prior knee surgery (6 months), excluding surgery to procure a biopsy or a concomitant procedure to prepare the knee for a MACI implant.
• Inability to cooperate with a physician-prescribed post-surgical rehabilitation program [See Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

The safety of MACI used in patients with malignancy in the area of cartilage biopsy or implant is unknown. The potential exists for expansion of malignant or dysplastic cells present in biopsy tissue during manufacture and subsequent implantation. In addition, implantation of normal autologous chondrocytes could theoretically stimulate growth of malignant cells in the area of the implant, although there have been no such incidents reported in humans or animals.

MACI is intended solely for autologous use. Patients undergoing the surgical procedures associated with MACI are not routinely tested for transmissible infectious diseases. Therefore, the cartilage biopsy and the MACI implant may carry the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to personnel handling these tissues. Accordingly, healthcare providers should employ universal precautions in handling the biopsy samples and the MACI product.

Product manufacture includes reagents derived from animal materials. All animal-derived reagents are tested for viruses, retroviruses, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mycoplasma before use. Bovine materials are sourced to minimize the risk of transmitting a prion protein that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy and may cause a rare fatal condition in humans called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

These measures do not totally eliminate the risk of transmitting these or other transmissible infectious diseases and disease agents. Report the occurrence of a transmitted infection to Vericel Corporation at 1-888-453-6948.

To create a favorable environment for healing, assess and treat the following conditions prior to or concurrent with implantation with MACI:

• Local inflammation or active infection in the bone, joint, and surrounding soft tissue: patients should be deferred until complete recovery.
• Meniscal pathology: presence of an unstable or torn meniscus requires partial resection, repair, or replacement prior to or concurrent with MACI implantation. MACI is not recommended in patients with a total meniscectomy.
• Cruciate ligament instability: the joint should not possess excessive laxity, which may create excessive shear and rotational forces across the joint. Both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments should be stable or undergo reconstruction prior to or concurrent with MACI implantation.
• Misalignment: the tibio-femoral joint should be properly aligned, and patella tracking should be normalized. Varus or valgus misalignment of the tibio-femoral joint and abnormal patella tracking may abnormally load joint surfaces and jeopardize the implant. Misalignment and patella tracking should be addressed with a corrective osteotomy or similar corrective procedure prior to or concurrent with MACI implantation.

MACI is shipped after passing preliminary test results from in-process microbial tests. A final sterility test is initiated prior to shipping, but the result will not be available prior to implantation. If microbial contamination is detected after the product has been shipped, Vericel will notify the healthcare provider(s) and recommend appropriate actions.

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions (≥5%) reported for MACI were arthralgia, tendonitis, back pain, joint swelling, and joint effusion.

Serious adverse reactions reported for MACI were arthralgia, cartilage injury, meniscus injury, treatment failure, and osteoarthritis.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a product cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another product and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In a 2-year prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial1, 144 patients, ages 18 to 54 years, were randomized to receive a 1-time treatment with MACI or microfracture (1:1, 72 patients in each treatment group). Demographic characteristics of patients in the trial were similar in both treatment groups. The majority of patients were male (62.5% MACI, 66.7% microfracture), and the mean ages were 34.8 (MACI) and 32.9 (microfracture) years. Overall, 70 patients in the MACI group and 67 patients in the microfracture group completed 2 years of follow-up.

In addition, all 144 subjects from the 2-year clinical trial had the option to enroll in a 3-year follow-up study (extension study). Safety and efficacy assessments were performed at yearly scheduled visits. The demographic characteristics of patients (N = 128) enrolled in the extension study were similar in both treatment groups and consistent with the overall population of the 2-year clinical trial.

The proportion of patients with at least 1 subsequent surgical procedure (any surgical procedure performed on the treated knee joint, including arthroscopy, arthrotomy, or manipulation under anesthesia) in the 2 years following study treatment was comparable between treatment groups (8.3% in the MACI group and 9.7% in the microfracture group).

Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients in either treatment group in the 2-year clinical trial are provided in Table 1.

In the 3-year extension study, adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients were (MACI vs microfracture): arthralgia (46.2% vs 50.8%), tendonitis (6.2% vs 1.6%), back pain (4.6% vs 6.3%), osteoarthritis (4.6% vs 7.9%), joint effusion (3.1% vs 7.9%), cartilage injury (6.2% vs 15.9%), procedural pain (3.1% vs 7.9%), ligament sprain (1.5% vs 7.9%), and treatment failure (4.6% vs 7.9%).

Serious adverse reactions reported in patients in either treatment group for integrated data across the 2-year clinical trial and the 3-year extension study are provided in Table 2.

Graft complication (e.g., abnormalities to the repair graft that become symptomatic; this could include graft overgrowth [tissue hypertrophy], under-fill or damage to the repair tissue that has elicited a painful response, or mechanical symptoms), graft delamination (i.e., a dislodging of the repair graft from the underlying subchondral bone that has become symptomatic; this can be measured as marginal, partial, or a complete delaminated graft), and tendonitis have been reported during use of MACI outside the United States. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to MACI exposure.

Risk Summary

MACI implantation requires invasive surgical procedures; therefore use during pregnancy is not recommended. Limited clinical data on patients exposed to MACI during pregnancy are available. There are insufficient data with MACI use in pregnant women to inform a product-associated risk. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with MACI. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of MACI in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for MACI and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from MACI or from the underlying maternal condition.

The safety and effectiveness of MACI in pediatric patients have not been established.

The safety and effectiveness of MACI in patients over 65 years of age have not been established. Clinical trials of MACI did not include subjects over the age of 55.

MACI, autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane, is a cellular sheet that consists of autologous chondrocytes seeded on a 3 x 5 cm, resorbable porcine Type I/III collagen membrane, for implantation into cartilage defects of the knee. The active ingredients of MACI are the autologous cultured chondrocytes and porcine Type I/III collagen. The autologous chondrocytes are propagated in cell culture and are seeded on the collagen at a density of 500,000 to 1,000,000 cells per cm². The final MACI implant contains at least 500,000 cells per cm² and does not contain any preservative.

The product manufacture also uses reagents derived from animal materials. The resorbable, Type I/III, collagen membrane, which is a component of MACI, is porcine-derived. Fetal bovine serum is a component in the culture medium used to propagate the autologous chondrocytes; therefore, trace quantities of bovine-derived proteins may be present in MACI. These animal-derived reagents are tested for viruses, retroviruses, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mycoplasma before use.

MACI may contain residual gentamicin because it is included during manufacture. Gentamicin is not included in the transport medium used to maintain product stability. Studies determined an average of 9.2 μg residual gentamicin per MACI implant.

A final sterility test is initiated prior to shipping, but the result will not be available prior to implantation. Passing results from preliminary in-process microbial tests are required for release of MACI for shipping.

No clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted with MACI and a mechanism of action has not been established.

Clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not been performed with MACI. Studies in rabbits and horses indicated that the membrane is resorbed over a period of at least 6 months following implantation.

Studies to evaluate the carcinogenicity or impairment of fertility potential of MACI have not been performed. In vitro studies have shown that the expansion process for chondrocytes does not induce changes to the cellular karyotype.

Four studies (in vitro and in vivo) were conducted to assess the genotoxic potential of the collagen membrane. The results from these studies demonstrated that the collagen membrane was non-mutagenic.

Implantation of analogous products in critical-size defects in the hind limbs of rabbits and horses did not reveal any serious safety concerns. The products consisted of the same membrane as MACI with rabbit or horse cells, respectively. Non-clinical testing has shown that the collagen membrane is not toxic and is compatible with biological tissue.

The effectiveness of MACI implant was evaluated in a 2-year prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study, SUMMIT (Superiority of MACI implant versus Microfracture Treatment in patients with symptomatic articular cartilage defects in the knee),1 which enrolled a total of 144 subjects, ages 18 to 54 years, with at least one symptomatic Outerbridge Grade III or IV focal cartilage defect on the medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral condyle, and/or the trochlea. Failure of a prior cartilage surgery was not required for study entry. The subjects were randomized to receive either a 1-time treatment with MACI or microfracture. The co-primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to Week 104 for the subject’s Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in two subscales: Pain and Function (Sports and Recreational Activities [SRA])2. Safety also was evaluated through Week 104 [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Of the 72 subjects randomized to MACI, 70 completed the study and 2 discontinued prematurely (1 due to an adverse event [AE] and 1 wished to withdraw). Of the 72 subjects randomized to microfracture, 67 completed the study and 5 discontinued prematurely (1 due to an AE, 1 wished to withdraw, and 3 due to lack of clinical benefit).

At Week 104, KOOS pain and function (SRA) had improved from baseline in both treatment groups, but the improvement was statistically significantly (p = 0.001) greater in the MACI group compared with the microfracture group (Table 3).

In a responder analysis, the proportion of subjects with at least a 10-point improvement in both KOOS pain and function (SRA) was greater in the MACI group (63/72=87.5%; 95% CI [77.6%, 94.1%]) compared with the microfracture group (49/72=68.1%; 95% CI [56.0%, 78.6%]).

All subjects from the 2-year study had the option to enroll in a 3 year follow-up study (extension study), in which 128 subjects participated. All 65 subjects (100%, 65/65) in the MACI group and 59 subjects (93.7%, 59/63) in the microfracture group completed the extension study. The mean 2-year KOOS pain and function scores remained stable for the additional 3-year period in both treatment groups (Table 4).

• Saris D, Price A, Widuchowski W, Bertrand-Marchand M, Caron J, Drogset JO, et al. Matrix-applied characterized autologous cultured chondrocytes versus microfracture: two-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial. Am J Sports Med. 2014 Jun;42(6):1384-94.
• Roos EM, Lohmander LS. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): from joint injury to osteoarthritis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003;1:64.

How Supplied

• A single patient order may contain 1 or 2 implants, each in its own dish and shipper, depending on lesion size and number of lesions.
• MACI, NDC69866-1030-1, contains 1 implant supplied ready for use as a single cellular sheet approximately 3 x 5 cm, in a sterile, sealed, clear polystyrene dish. Each dish contains one 3 x 5 cm implant with a 0.5 cm² section removed from the lower left hand corner, held in place by a polycarbonate 5-pronged ring closed with a polycarbonate cover for shipment.
• MACI, NDC69866-1030-2, contains 2 implants supplied ready for use as cellular sheets approximately 3 x 5 cm, in a sterile, sealed, clear polystyrene dish. Each dish contains one 3 x 5 cm implant with a 0.5 cm² section removed from the lower left hand corner, held in place by a polycarbonate 5 pronged ring closed with a polycarbonate cover for shipment.
• Each dish is individually sealed in a clear plastic bag. The plastic bag(s) are placed into one 95kPa pouch (outer bag) with absorbent material. This pouch is enclosed in an outer carton insulated with ambient temperature gel packs.
• MACI is shipped cell-side up.

Storage and Handling

• Store MACI at room temperature in its original packaging (outer carton) until ready to use.
• DO NOT REFRIGERATE or FREEZE, or sterilize MACI.
• Do not use if the dish is damaged or has been compromised.
• Use MACI prior to 11:59 PM ET on the date of expiration printed on the package.
• Dispose of unused MACI or waste material as surgical biohazardous waste in accordance with local requirements.

• Advise the patient that:
  • – A cartilage biopsy is needed to manufacture MACI. The biopsy is typically performed as an arthroscopic procedure at the time of diagnosis confirmation.
  • – The length of time between the biopsy and the implantation of MACI may vary depending on many factors, including the quality and number of cells obtained from the biopsy. On average this will take 6 weeks; however, cells can be held in storage until a convenient date for surgery is agreed upon between the patient and the surgeon.
  • – Even if the surgeon has taken a biopsy needed to produce MACI, it may be possible that the patient cannot be treated with MACI, (e.g., in case the biopsy is of insufficient quality to produce MACI, if the cells cannot be grown in the laboratory, or if the expanded cells do not meet all the quality requirements).
  • Advise the patient on the risk of graft complications, subsequent surgical procedures, and treatment failure. [See Adverse Reaction (6)]
  • Advise the patient on general complications related to knee surgery, which may include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
  • Advise the patient to closely follow the physician-prescribed rehabilitation program, which will include limitations and allowances for beginning specific physical activities. [See Dosage and Administration (2.3)]

  Manufactured by: Vericel Corporation, 64 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

  MACI^® is a registered trademark of Vericel Corporation.

  © 2016 Vericel Corporation.

  
  

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