What is ATMP? 

In the pharmaceutical industry, ATMP stands for 'Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products'. 

ATMP is a form of regenerative medicine, meaning that the focus is on replacing and generating human cells, tissues, and organs to restore them to their normal functions. ATMP is hugely transformative form of medicine for patients with certain diseases and injuries, as the ATMP treatment can give them a new - or more improved - lease of life. 

Types of ATMP and Definitions

There are three different types of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. Cell and gene therapy is a hugely diverse and varied subject, so it only makes sense that there are different types of ATMP. 

Gene Therapy Medicines

A gene therapy medicinal product (GTMPs) involves the use of a recombinant gene. A 'recombinant gene' is a strand of DNA that is created in a lab. It is made up of DNA from different sources to satisfy its unique medical purpose.

These recombinant genes create a missing or non-functioning protein, which is then used to treat diseases, including: 

• Immune deficiencies

• Hereditary blindness

• Fat metabolism disorder

• Cystic fibrosis

• Cancers

• Diabetes 

This is an overarching category for gene therapy medicines. Read on to find the sub-types of ATMP medicines...

Somatic-Cell Therapy Medicines

Somatic-cell therapy medicinal products (sCTMPs) use manipulated cells or tissues which have been changed from their original intended function. This changes the biological characteristics and features of the cells or tissues, allowing them to treat, diagnose or prevent a disease through pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic action. 

Tissue-Engineered Medicines

Tissue-engineered products (TEPs) are very similar to sCTMPs, but the main difference lies in their therapeutic action (how they treat the disease or the issue). 

While sCTMPs use pharmacological, immunological and metabolic action, TEPs work by regenerating, repairing and replacing human tissue. 

Combined ATMPS

Finally, there are combined ATMPs which have more than one feature, or a mix, of the above. These are also known as cATMPs. 

To help scientists figure out how to classify a particular product and which type of ATMP to label it as, it's common to use this decision tree which outlines the ATMP classification process in an easy flow diagram.