Skin therapeutics company Fibrocell Science raises $2.7M

Fibrocell Science Inc. has raised $2.7 million to advance its skin treatment that uses a patient’s own cells to smooth out wrinkles, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company’s technology is based on fibroblasts, cells that aid in the formation of connective tissue. The company removes a small sample of a patient’s fibroblasts from behind his ear, then uses a manufacturing process to multiply the cells and injects them back into the patient’s body.

Fibrocell is in the midst of a phase 3 clinical trial to investigate the treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles, folds on both sides of the face that start from the outer corners of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. The company calls its technology azficel-T.

Treating patients with their own cells is known as autologus cell therapy. The technique minimizes the risk of infection or rejection that’s associated with using grafts or cells from another person.

The fundraise comes in the form of equity, options and warrants. It was sourced from 20 investors, with the first sale occurring on July 19.

Fibrocell’s shares are traded on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, a listing of small and often-risky stocks. Fibrocell owns a majority interest in Agera Laboratories Inc., which markets skin-care products.

Fibrocell’s predecessor, Isolagen Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June after running out of cash. Under a reorganization plan, Fibrocell was born out of Isolagen’s ashes with new investors.

CFO Declan Daly didn’t immediately return a call.