The U.S. Department of Defenses (DOD) Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) is to undertake a pilot study in nonhuman primates (NHP) evaluating Pluristem Therapeutics PLX-R18 as a treatment for acute radiation syndrome (ARS) prior to and within the first 24 hours of radiation exposure. The AFRRI is part of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS). Pluristems PLX-R18 is an off-the-shelf placental expanded (PLX) cell therapy product generated from placenta-derived mesenchymal-like adherent stromal cells. The cells are designed to release a combination of therapeutic proteins to help treat bone marrow that has been damaged due to ARS, or as a result of cancer, cancer therapy, or immune-mediated bone marrow failure. Last month, Pluristem reported positive data from an ongoing Phase II-equivalent NHP trial carried out by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which also investigated PLX-R18 cells as a treatment for ARS. The results confirmed that therapy increased survival rates in irradiated NHP animals. The NIAID study is evaluating PLX-R18 administration 24 hours after radiation exposure. The prospective AFRRI study will evaluate therapy given prior to or within the first 24 hours of radiation exposure, which Pluristem points out is a timeframe that will be … Continue reading →

Capricor Therapeuticsrecently shared anupdateofthe companys quarterly financial results and operational highlights,including positive results for the ongoing HOPE study with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. The Phase I/II HOPE study (NCT02485938) is assessing the safety and tolerabilityofinvestigational cardiac cell therapyCAP-1002 in boys and young men with DMD. Results from the trials first six months showed that patients treated with CAP-1002 experienced significant improvements in cardiac and upper limb functions compared with patients under standard care. Researchers are assessing patient outcomes with lab tests, physical exams, and electrocardiograms, and by measuring coronary blood flow and major cardiac events. The study also will measure patient responses on the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) scale, a tool developed by experts to assess upper limb function in DMD patients; with spirometry; and in a test that measures how far patients can walk in six minutes. In April, we reported positive interim results from our ongoing HOPE-Duchenne clinical trial which have ignited the interest of patients, advocates and thought leaders who constitute the greater Duchenne muscular dystrophy community. These results are particularly notable given the patients advanced disease as approximately 70% of trial participants were wheelchair-dependent at entry, Linda Marbn, PhD, president and CEO of Capricor, … Continue reading →

BHUBANESWAR: Apollo Hospital has introduced a new cell therapy treatment for Orthopaedic patients suffering from bone and cartilage injuries and diseases. A first in the State, the new procedure will help treat defects in the cartilage in joints, deferring the need for a replacement. Talking to media persons, Regional CEO of Apollo Hospitals (Odisha and Chhattisgarh) Sudhir M Diggikar said, the innovative regenerative cell treatment is a revolutionary therapy to combat knee and hip pain. We will conduct workshops and continuous medical education (CME) for doctors on this new technology, he said. Apollo has tied-up with regenerative medicine company, RMS Regrow, to offer cell therapy treatment for bone and cartilage problems. This exclusive partnership will allow the hospital to offer advanced cell therapy treatment to patients. The techniques - Ossron for bone and Chondron for cartilage are among the first set of cell therapy-based treatment developed to cater to sports injuries, accidents and alternate to hip replacements and knee replacements in early stages of osteoarthritis. Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon of Apollo Hospitals Dr Smarajit Patnaik said, knee-joint pain is not only a part of wear and tear associated with aging but can also occur in relatively younger age due to various … Continue reading →