ATMP stands for "Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products". These drugs are based on genes, cells or tissues and open up new possibilities for the treatment of diseases and injuries.

ATMPs can be divided into three main groups:

1. Gene therapy drugs
   These drugs contain specific genes that have a curative, preventive or diagnostic effect.
   They work by introducing so-called recombinant genes into the body.
   A recombinant gene is an artificially produced section of genetic information (DNA) that has been assembled from various sources.
   Such drugs are used, for example, for hereditary diseases, cancer or chronic diseases.
    
2. Somatic cell therapeutics
   These contain cells or tissues whose biological properties have been altered in the laboratory, or cells or tissues that act differently in the body than originally intended.
   They can help to cure, recognise or prevent diseases.
    
3. Tissue-engineered medicinal products
   These consist of cells or tissues that have been modified in such a way that they can repair, renew or replace damaged human tissue.

Combined ATMPs

Some ATMPs also contain medical devices that are permanently linked to the drug.
These are called combined ATMPs.

An example: cells that are embedded in a biodegradable structure - such as a scaffold that dissolves in the body.