Asterias Biotherapeutics AST-OPC1 Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury Patients Shown to Help Patients Paralyzed from the Neck Down Regain Function in the Arms and Hands

News provided by

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Sep 14, 2016, 10:03 ET

FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- 

Asterias B-roll
Asterias B-roll
Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, is shown here making final preparations to inject 10 million AST-OPC1 cells into a spinal cord injury patient in August 2016. Dr. Fessler is the lead investigator of the SciSTAR study looking into AST-OPC1 as a treatment for spinal cord injury.
Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, is shown here making final preparations to inject 10 million AST-OPC1 cells into a spinal cord injury patient in August 2016. Dr. Fessler is the lead investigator of the SciSTAR study looking into AST-OPC1 as a treatment for spinal cord injury.
An Asterias employee removes frozen cells from storage in liquid nitrogen tanks at Asterias Biotherapeutics in Fremont, California.
An Asterias employee removes frozen cells from storage in liquid nitrogen tanks at Asterias Biotherapeutics in Fremont, California.
Asterias Biotherapeutics headquarters in Fremont, California.
Asterias Biotherapeutics headquarters in Fremont, California.
Kris Boesen of Bakersfield, California, is shown lifting weights. Boesen, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in March 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics.
Kris Boesen of Bakersfield, California, is shown lifting weights. Boesen, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in March 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics.
Lucas Lindner of Eden, Wisconsin, is shown signing his name. Lindner, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in May 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics.
Lucas Lindner of Eden, Wisconsin, is shown signing his name. Lindner, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in May 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics.
Asterias B-roll
Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, is shown here making final preparations to inject 10 million AST-OPC1 cells into a spinal cord injury patient in August 2016. Dr. Fessler is the lead investigator of the SciSTAR study looking into AST-OPC1 as a treatment for spinal cord injury. An Asterias employee removes frozen cells from storage in liquid nitrogen tanks at Asterias Biotherapeutics in Fremont, California. Asterias Biotherapeutics headquarters in Fremont, California. Kris Boesen of Bakersfield, California, is shown lifting weights. Boesen, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in March 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics. Lucas Lindner of Eden, Wisconsin, is shown signing his name. Lindner, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in May 2016, now has use of his arms and hands following treatment with AST-OPC1, an investigational stem cell treatment developed by Asterias Biotherapeutics.

The News:  Asterias Biotherapeutics, based in Fremont, California, announced today positive interim efficacy data in the Company's ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical study in complete cervical spinal cord injury (loss of both motor function and sensation below the neck) patients.  While early in the study, with only 4 of the 5 patients having reached 90 days after dosing, all patients who received 10 million AST-OPC1 cells have shown at least one motor level of improvement (regaining some function in their arms) while 2 of 5 patients achieved two motor levels of improvement (regaining some function in their arms, hands and fingers) on at least one side of their body.  Researchers initially thought that results would take 6-12 months to see.  The next phase of the study – starting this fall -- will utilize an even higher dose of AST-OPC1 (20 million cells).

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7924251-asterias-ast-opc1-spinal-cord-injury

About AST-OPC1:  Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (or OPC's) are a type of cell that is normally present in your brain and in your spinal cord throughout your life.  These OPCs mature into a cell type called oligodendrocytes which help form the myelin (the insulation) around the nerve fibers in your brain and your spinal cord that allow nerve impulses to be conducted between your brain and spinal cord and ultimately to other parts of your body.  AST-OPC1 is designed to help repair the myelin that has been damaged because of an injury to the spinal cord, and deliver additional benefits to spinal cord functioning as well.  By implanting AST-OPC1 cells, the hope is that the signal from the brain that travels through the nerves of the spinal column can be restored (even partially) to allow for movement and sensation in the body.

About Spinal Cord Injuries:  Each year in the U.S. more than 17,000 people suffer a severe, debilitating spinal cord injury.  Lifetime healthcare costs for these patients can often approach $5 million.  The ability for a person to regain use of their arms, hands and fingers can dramatically improve their quality of life and ability to function independently.

About the AST-OPC1 Clinical Trial:  The study is being conducted at six centers in the U.S., including the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Shepherd Medical Center in Atlanta, Rancho Los Amigos/University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, Stanford University/Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Indiana University in Indianapolis.  Additional information can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov, using Identifier NCT02302157, and at the SCiStar Study Website (www.scistar-study.com).  The SCiStar study is funded in part by a $14.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

About Asterias:  For more information on Asterias, please visit http://www.asteriasbio.com

** Interview Opportunities Available with Clinical Investigators, Patient and Company Executives

For more information, please contact Mark Leonard at 847-651-9682 or via email at [email protected]

SOURCE Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.asteriasbio.com

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