EXTON, Pa. and GERMANTOWN, Md., Oct. 08, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fibrocell Science, Inc., (NASDAQ:FCSC), an autologous cell and gene therapy company focused on developing first-in-class treatments for rare and serious skin and connective tissue diseases with high unmet needs, and Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology, today announced that a poster entitled “Pre-Clinical Development of a Genetically-Modified Human Dermal Fibroblast (FCX-007) for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)” will be presented at the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting from October 6-10, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The poster contains additional details of the previously reported positive in vivo pre-clinical data for FCX-007, Fibrocell’s orphan gene-therapy product candidate for the treatment of RDEB.
RDEB is caused by a mutation of the COL7A1 gene—the gene which encodes for type VII collagen (COL7), a protein that forms anchoring fibrils to hold together the layers of skin. Without these fibrils, skin layers separate causing severe blistering, open wounds and scarring in response to any kind of friction, including normal daily activities like rubbing or scratching.
In this in vivo pre-clinical study, FCX-007 was evaluated for toxicology and biological proof-of-concept in RDEB and normal human skin xenografts implanted onto severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Toxicology results for FCX-007 showed at two- and six-weeks post-administration:
- No test article-related findings;
- No tumors in the skin grafts or other organs;
- No statistical changes in blood chemistry; and
- No apparent systemic distribution of the vector.
In addition, data supporting the biological proof-of-concept indicated FCX-007 cells in a human skin xenograft model expressed COL7 that localized to the basement membrane zone (BMZ) where anchoring fibrils are formed.
The poster will be available in the “Publications” section of Fibrocell’s website at: http://www.fibrocellscience.com/technology/publications/.
About FCX-007
FCX-007 is Fibrocell’s novel gene-therapy product candidate for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a congenital and progressive orphan skin disease caused by the deficiency of the protein type VII collagen (COL7). FCX-007 is a genetically-modified autologous fibroblast that encodes COL7 and is being developed in collaboration with Intrexon. By genetically modifying autologous fibroblasts, ex vivo, to produce COL7, culturing them and then treating blisters and wounds locally via injection, FCX-007 offers the potential to address the underlying cause of the disease by providing high levels of COL7 directly to the affected areas, thereby avoiding systemic treatment.
About Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is the most severe form of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), a congenital, progressive, devastatingly painful and debilitating genetic disorder that often leads to death. RDEB is caused by a mutation of the COL7A1 gene, the gene which encodes for type VII collagen, a protein that forms anchoring fibrils. Anchoring fibrils hold together the layers of skin, and without them, skin layers separate causing severe blistering, open wounds and scarring in response to any kind of friction, including normal daily activities like rubbing or scratching. Children who inherit the condition are often called “butterfly children” because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. We estimate there are approximately 1,100 – 2,500 RDEB patients in the U.S. Currently, treatments for RDEB address only the sequelae, including daily bandaging, hydrogel dressings, antibiotics, feeding tubes and surgeries.
About Fibrocell Science, Inc.
Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCSC) is an autologous cell and gene therapy company primarily focused on developing first-in-class treatments for rare and serious skin and connective tissue diseases with high unmet medical needs. Fibrocell’s most advanced product candidate, azficel-T, uses its proprietary autologous fibroblast technology and is in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of chronic dysphonia resulting from vocal cord scarring. In collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology, Fibrocell is also developing gene therapies for skin diseases using gene-modified autologous fibroblasts. Fibrocell is in pre-clinical development of FCX-007, its orphan gene-therapy product candidate, for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Fibrocell is also in pre-clinical development of FCX-013, its second gene-therapy product candidate, for the treatment of linear scleroderma. For more information, visit fibrocell.com.
About Intrexon Corporation
Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON) is Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA™ to create biologically-based products that improve the quality of life and the health of the planet. The Company’s integrated technology suite provides its partners across diverse markets with industrial-scale design and development of complex biological systems delivering unprecedented control, quality, function, and performance of living cells. We call our synthetic biology approach Better DNA®, and we invite you to discover more at www.dna.com.
Fibrocell Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements and include, among others, statements relating to our development plans and timing; the potential for FCX-007 to be a first-in-class treatment for RDEB; and the potential advantages of our product candidates.
Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, intentions and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely from those indicated by such forward-looking statements including, among others: our ability to successfully complete the additional toxicology study requested by the FDA for FCX-007 and to adequately address the FDA’s other feedback relating to our IND for FCX-007; our ability to obtain FDA approval to commence the planned Phase I/II trial for FCX-007; varying interpretation of pre-clinical data; our ability to maintain our collaboration with Intrexon Corporation; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. While we may update certain forward-looking statements from time to time, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Intrexon Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for the development of our business. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release.
Investor & Media Relations Contact: Karen Casey Fibrocell Science, Inc. Tel: +1 (484) 713-6133 kcasey@fibrocellscience.com Investor Contact: Christopher Basta Vice President, Investor Relations Intrexon Corporation Tel: +1 (561) 410-7052 Investors@intrexon.com
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