Mesenchymal precursor cells for type 2 diabetes

Intravenous injection

50% Alpha-MEM/42.5% ProFreeze NAO Freezing Medium/7.5% DMSO

%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%3EA%20single%20intravenous%20infusion%20of%200.3,%201.0%20or%202.0%2010%3Csup%3E6%3C/sup%3E%20MPCs/kg %3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E

MPCs are used for regeneration of the cardiovascular tissue, following heart damage.

Mesenchymal lineage stem cells can reduce systemic and adipose tissue inflammation, improve glucose control, prevent abnormal diabetes-related kidney pathology and improve renal function via secretion of factors that enhance regeneration and repair of kidney tissue.

On 8 December 2010, the company announced that Mesoblast and Cephalon (since acquired by Teva) have entered into a strategic alliance to develop and commercialize novel adult stem cell therapeutics for degenerative conditions of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. The alliance also extends to development of products for enhancing bone marrow transplantation prospects in cancer patients. Stage of development when deal was closed: Phase II clinical data in congestive heart failure and hematopoietic stem cell transplants, plus preclinical data in acute myocardial infarction. Overview of deal terms: Exclusive worldwide commercialization rights of selected Mesoblast products to Cephalon Upfront fee of US$130 million Up to US$1.7 billion in milestone payments Cephalon to acquire stake in Mesoblast at a 45% premium 

STRO-3-selected MPCs grown ex vivo, exhibited increased proliferative capacity, expression of various early stem cell markers and cytokines, and differentiation efficiency compared with conventionally prepared mesenchymal stem cells (isolated by plastic-adherence alone). These data support the possibility of obtaining therapeutically relevant numbers of precursor cells, for clinical application.

Mesoblast’s preclinical studies in mice with experimental diabetes have shown that a single dose of systemically delivered MPCs can result in a significant and sustained reduction in blood glucose levels and to pancreatic beta cell regeneration. In studies with naturally occurring type 2 diabetes in non-human primates, a single intravenous injection of allogeneic MPCs resulted in significant lowering of blood sugar levels for up to six months. These effects were accompanied by evidence of reduced systemic inflammation, suggesting potential additional benefit to end-organ complications in diabetes.