MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Key points:
*Stem cell treatment induced two-fold increase in total numbers of pancreatic islets, and increase in insulin-producing beta cells
*Estimated 230 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes; massive commercial opportunity
Australia’s regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited , today announced significant preclinical trial results showing that the proprietary adult stem cell platform could be an effective treatment for diabetes.
Leading international diabetes expert Professor Michael Horowitz, Director of the Endocrine and Metabolic Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, who has reviewed the results said: “These data are very exciting, and clearly demonstrate the potential of using these unique adult stem cells in the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes.”
In the collaborative study, diabetes was induced by partial chemical destruction of the pancreas in 35 mice that were then randomised to receive either a single injection into the bloodstream of human MPCs or control. Three weeks later, MPC-treated diabetics had two-fold greater numbers of pancreatic islets than diabetic controls (p=0.0012), and a ratio of insulin-producing beta cells to glucagon-producing alpha cells which was 29% higher than in diabetic controls (p=0.005). MPC-treated diabetics demonstrated a 35% maximal reduction in blood glucose levels (p=0.012) and a 34% increase in blood insulin levels (p=0.04) compared with diabetic controls over the three weeks of follow-up. No subjects had reduction in glucose levels below normal, indicating that MPCs may have a safer profile than insulin injections with respect to risk of hypoglycemia.
Mesoblast Executive Director, Professor Silviu Itescu, said: “The Company will move quickly towards the clinic to target what is termed the western world’s largest healthcare epidemic.
About Mesoblast
Mesoblast Limited is committed to the development of novel treatments for orthopaedic conditions, including the rapid commercialisation of a unique adult stem cell technology aimed at the regeneration and repair of bone and cartilage. Our focus is to progress through clinical trials and international regulatory processes necessary to commercialise the technology in as short a timeframe as possible. Mesoblast has the worldwide exclusive rights for a series of patents and technologies developed over more than 10 years relating to the identification, extraction and culture of adult Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPCs). The Company has acquired 38.4% of Angioblast Systems Inc., an American company developing the platform MPC technology for the treatment of cardiac, vascular and eye diseases including repair and regeneration of blood vessels and heart muscle. Mesoblast and Angioblast are jointly funding and progressing the core technology. Mesoblast’s strategy is to maximise shareholder value through both corporate partnerships and the rapid and successful completion of clinical milestones.
CONTACT: Julie Meldrum, Corporate Communications Director, Mesoblast
Limited, T: + 61 (03) 9639 6036, M: +61 (0) 419 228 128, E:
julie.meldrum@mesoblast.com, W: www.mesoblast.com
Web site: http://www.mesoblast.com/
