Guildford, UK, 1 May 2009: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announces further data concerning the pre-clinical characterisation and mode of action of ReNeuron’s lead ReN001 neural stem cell line for stroke. The studies were conducted by Professor Paul Sanberg and colleagues at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine (part of USF Health), Tampa, Florida, USA.
In an initial study, four known growth factors were identified as secreted by the ReN001 cells, serving to promote the growth of new blood vessels in an in vitro model. In a further in vivo study, Laser Doppler was used to demonstrate the effect of ReN001 in promoting a faster return to a normal pattern of cerebral blood flow in a rat stroke model. These two studies therefore indicate that the promotion of new blood vessel growth and faster restoration of brain blood flow are important factors in ReN001’s efficacy in stroke.
Finally, ReN001 cells were implanted into the brain ventricles in aged rats. The cells rapidly increased the formation of new neuronal cells in one of the main neurogenic regions of the brain, the hippocampus. This is an area of the brain particularly concerned with memory. These results suggest that dementia, a severe disorder of cognitive function in ageing, may be amenable to ReN001 neural stem cell treatment.
The data from these studies will be presented in three posters at the 16th Annual Conference of the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair, taking place on April 30 to May 2, 2009 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA. ReNeuron’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr John Sinden, will also give a plenary lecture at the conference regarding the key features of the pre-clinical studies that led to ReNeuron’s recent UK regulatory approval for a Phase I clinical trial with ReN001 in disabled stroke patients.
Further information concerning the conference can be found at: http://www.asntr.org/events/16th-annual-conference-of-the-american-society-for.
Enquiries:
Michael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer – ReNeuron +44 (0) 1483 302560
Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer – ReNeuron
Jonathan Birt, Susan Quigley – Financial Dynamics +44 (0) 20 7831 3113
Stewart Wallace, Adam Cowen – Collins Stewart +44 (0) 20 7523 8350
About USF Health
USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of healthcare based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With more than $360 million in research grants and contracts last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged, four-year public universities designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Further information may be found at www.health.usf.edu.
About ReNeuron
ReNeuron is a leading, UK-based stem cell business. Its primary objective is the development of stem cell therapies targeting areas of significant unmet or poorly met medical need.
ReNeuron recently received regulatory approval to commence a Phase I clinical trial in the UK with its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. The Company is developing stem cell therapies for a number of other conditions, including peripheral arterial disease and diseases of the retina.
ReNeuron has also developed a range of stem cell lines for non-therapeutic applications – its ReNcell® products for use in academic and commercial research. The Company’s ReNcell®CX and ReNcell®VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by USA-based Millipore Corporation.
ReNeuron’s shares are traded on the London AIM market under t he symbol RENE.L. Further information on ReNeuron and its products can be found at www.reneuron.com.