Guildford, UK, 29 April 2010: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announces that positive data from a number of new pre-clinical studies using its CTX stem cell line for stroke will be presented in an oral presentation1 and posters2 at the 17th Annual Conference of the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair, taking place on April 29 to May 1, 2010 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA. The studies were conducted by Dr Mike Modo, Senior Lecturer in Stem Cell Imaging at the Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, King’s College London, in collaboration with colleagues at the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK and the Centre for Biomedical Research and Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA.
These new data include the results from a recent pre-clinical efficacy study using ReNeuron’s CTX stem cell line, which the Company is taking forward into the clinic as its ReN001 therapy for disabled stroke patients. This new efficacy study once again showed significantly improved outcomes in the key behavioural tests in the CTX cell-treated group in a validated rodent model of stroke damage. The results replicate the findings of previous efficacy studies with the CTX cell line, confirming its efficacy in models of stable state stroke damage. This study also tested the effect of the cells when implanted away from the site of stroke damage, where no equivalent functional improvements were seen. The functional effects of the CTX cells on stable stroke deficits therefore appear to be specific to the site of implantation. This finding lends support to the mode of administration to be used in ReNeuron’s UK Phase I clinical trial with ReN001 in disabled stroke patients, being direct injection of the cells close to the area of stroke brain damage.
In another of the pre-clinical studies to be presented, CTX stem cells were successfully implanted into the site of stroke damage on a growth factor-secreting microparticle scaffold, providing structural support within the lesion to promote cell survival and consequent tissue regeneration from the transplanted cells. In a further study, CTX cells were successfully labeled with a contrast agent developed by Celsense, Inc., Pittsburgh, USA, offering the potential for the cells to be detected and tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) once implanted but without adversely affecting the viability of the cells.
Further information concerning the conference can be found at: www.asntr.org.
John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said:
“As we embark on the clinical development of our ReN001 stem cell therapy for stroke patients, it is important that we continue to further develop and enhance the therapy through both in-house and collaborative research programmes. The new data being presented at the ASNTR conference today regarding our lead CTX stem cell line is a good example of such collaborative activity, demonstrating the potency and versatility of these cells in a variety of stroke-related applications.”
1. Transplantation of human NSCs on VEGF-releasing microparticle scaffolds in a stroke model Bible E, Chau DY, Alexander MR, Price J, Shakesheff KM, Modo M.
2. Pre-clinical efficacy testing of a human neural stem cell line (CTX0E03) in a rat model of stroke Stroemer RP, Gorenkova N, Smith E, Tang E, Sinden JD, Modo M.
Characterisation of a 19F MRI contrast agent in human NSCs for transplantation into stroke lesioned brain Solanky B, Bible E, Ahrens ET, Modo M.
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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 has regulatory approval for a Phase I clinical trial in the UK with its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. Patient recruitment for this trial will commence shortly. The Company is also 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 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.