Guildford, UK, 19 April 2013: ReNeuron announces that later today it will be presenting important new pre-clinical data on the potential mechanisms by which its lead CTX stem cell line exerts its therapeutic effects.

The Company’s researchers have identified that CTX cells release nanoparticles known as exosomes containing key proteins and micro-RNA that appear to influence neighbouring cells to stimulate certain therapeutic mechanisms associated with tissue repair. These beneficial mechanisms have been reported in a number of previous pre-clinical studies with CTX cells and include angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), neurogenesis (the generation of new neurons in the brain) and modulation of the host immune system.

ReNeuron’s research team has cultured CTX cells continuously in bioreactors, purifying and characterising the resultant released exosomes. These exosomes were then tested at differing concentrations in an in vitro model of wound repair. The exosomes were seen to significantly enhance the migration of fibroblasts (skin cells) in the model, suggesting that they may contribute to the mechanisms by which CTX cells promote tissue repair. 

The above results are being presented today at the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles 2013 conference in Boston, US. Further information about this conference may be found at www.isevmeeting.org.

Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said:

“The data we are presenting today is exciting, both scientifically and commercially. The results provide further knowledge and validation of the therapeutic potential of our lead CTX cell therapy candidate. In addition, the field of exosome research is growing fast and, having filed multiple new patent applications, we are well-placed to exploit its future potential because CTX cells have the capacity to become an efficient and potentially very valuable “producer” cell line for exosome-based diagnostic products or therapies.”

Enquiries:

ReNeuron                                                                               +44 (0) 1483 302560

Michael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer

Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer

Buchanan                                                                                 +44 (0) 20 7466 5000

Mark Court, Fiona Henson, Sophie Cowles                                                  

Cenkos Securities                                                                   +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

Stephen Keys, Adrian Hargrave (NOMAD and Broker) Andy Roberts (Sales)

About ReNeuron

ReNeuron is a leading, clinical-stage stem cell business. Its primary objective is the development of novel stem cell therapies targeting areas of significant unmet or poorly met medical need.  

ReNeuron has used its unique stem cell technologies to develop cell-based therapies for significant disease conditions where the cells can be readily administered “off-the-shelf” to any eligible patient without the need for additional immunosuppressive drug treatments. ReNeuron’s lead candidate is its ReN001 stem cell therapy for the treatment of patients left disabled by the effects of a stroke. This therapy is currently in clinical development. The Company is also developing stem cell therapies for other conditions such as critical limb ischaemia, a serious and common side-effect of diabetes, and blindness-causing diseases of the retina such as retinitis pigmentosa.

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 Merck Millipore.

ReNeuron’s shares are traded on the London AIM market under the symbol RENE.L. Further information on ReNeuron and its products can be found at www.reneuron.com.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business achievements/performance of ReNeuron and certain of the plans and objectives of management of ReNeuron with respect thereto. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “should”, “expects”, “estimates”, “believes” or similar expressions. This announcement also contains forward-looking statements attributed to certain third parties relating to their estimates regarding the growth of markets and demand for products. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect ReNeuron’s current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of factors could cause ReNeuron’s actual financial condition, results of operations and business achievements/performance to differ materially from the estimates made or implied in such forward-looking statements and, accordingly, reliance should not be placed on such statements.

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