CALGARY, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SCT) is pleased to announce that Dr. Allen Davidoff, V.P. Product Development, will present a poster today at the European Stroke Conference (ESC) being held in Brussels, Belgium. The poster describes the positive neurological recovery observed, compared to placebo, that results from the NTx(TM)-265 treatment of a rodent model of stroke. The positive results of this study represent an important step in the development of NTx(TM)-265, as the study closely mimics the design of SCT’s currently enrolling Phase IIa clinical trial. The Phase IIa trial, which investigates the safety of NTx(TM)- 265 in human stroke patients, is headed by principle investigator Dr. Steven Cramer of the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Cramer is also a co-author of the study being presented today. Today’s poster presentation further serves as the first public forum at which the two drugs comprising the NTx(TM)-265 regimen are being identified by their individual protein names.
The data presented today at the ESC demonstrate that, in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) model of stroke, treatment with the NTx(TM)-265 regimen of drugs produces substantial and significant recovery of lost motor function. “This study uses drug doses, timing of drug administration and a drug delivery route similar to that approved for the Phase IIa clinical trial and represents another successful step in establishing NTx(TM)-265 as a ground breaking new therapeutic paradigm”, said Dr. Davidoff.
The NTx(TM)-265 regimen of drugs is comprised of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and erythropoietin (EPO) provided in a proprietary dose and schedule. hCG and EPO are currently marketed worldwide for therapeutic uses in other medical applications and have each been provided safely to many patients. The two drugs however, have not been previously employed together in a regimen to treat stroke. “The repurposing of known and well understood drugs with strong clinical safety records is a powerful strategy for introducing valuable and much needed therapies to the medical market place”, said Dr. Joseph Tucker, President & CEO.
Several versions of each hCG and EPO are manufactured and marketed worldwide by major international pharmaceutical companies. SCT’s intellectual property estate is designed to protect the use of any combination of those versions of hCG and EPO as a treatment for stroke. As a result, SCT has the potential to enter into a co-development partnership with one or more of the major international pharmaceutical companies currently manufacturing either hCG or EPO. Alternatively, SCT has the option to partner with those international pharmaceutical companies that have an interest in the stroke market, but do not currently manufacture or market hCG or EPO. SCT is currently in discussions with a number of potential partners.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, where it affects 700,000 people each year, and is the second leading killer worldwide. Stroke is also the leading cause of long-term disability. The American Heart Association estimates that death and injury due to stroke cost the US economy $56.8 billion in 2005.
About Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.: Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of its technology platform and intellectual property to selectively induce a patient’s own stem cells to proliferate in the brain. SCT’s core technology, which includes its lead therapeutic product NTx(TM)-265, has been demonstrated to increase the number of innate adult stem cells that grow in place when this therapeutic approach is applied to test animals. SCT plans to develop this fundamental technology further for specific disease treatments such as stroke and potentially Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
These securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons unless an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements is available.
Except for historical information, this press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.
CONTACT: For further information on Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp., visitwww.stemcellthera.com or contact : Dr. Joseph Tucker, Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp., Phone: (403) 245-5495,info@stemcellthera.com
