Cardio3 BioSciences Receives Authorization to Enroll Patients in Italy in its Phase III Clinical Trial CHART-1

MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT, Belgium, October 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• CHART-1 trial represents the world's first Phase III trial in regenerative medicine for a pre-programmed cellular therapy targeting heart failure
• To date, seven countries have granted authorization for
  Cardio3 BioSciences' Phase III (CHART-1)
• Six leading clinical centers will participate in CHART-1 in Italy

The Belgian biotechnology company, Cardio3 BioSciences (C3BS), a leader in the discovery and development of regenerative, protective and reconstructive therapies for the treatment of cardiac diseases, today announces it has received authorization from the Italian  Medicines Agency (AIFA) to begin its Congestive Heart failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) European Phase III trial for C-Cure® in Italy.

After the recent authorization in Spain, and earlier in United Kingdom, Belgium, Israel, Serbia and Hungary, Italy is the seventh country to have authorized this unique study. There will be six leading clinical centers participating to the trial in Italy.

The CHART-1 trial represents the world's first Phase III trial for a pre-programmed cellular therapy targeting heart failure.

Professor Marco Metra, the Principal Investigator in Italy commented:  "We are proud to participate in this Phase III trial evaluating the benefit of C-Cure® cardiopoietic cells for the treatment of severe heart failure.We believe that theCHART-1 studyis oneof the most importantcurrent studieson improving thetreatment of chronicheart failure.We hopethat this innovativetreatment willimprovethe qualityof life of patientssuffering from thisprogressiveanddebilitating disease, one of the most importantunmetmedical needs today. E' tempo d'iniziare! Anche nel nostro paese! "

Dr Christian Homsy, CEO of Cardio3 BioSciences, said:  "We are verypleased with the progressof ourPhaseIII clinical study. Adding another bigEuropeancountry likeItaly, which will open six sites,will enable usto pursue the studyaccording toour development plan."

The Phase III trial is a prospective, multi-centre, randomized, sham-controlled, patient-and evaluator-blinded study comparing treatment with C-Cure® to a sham treatment. The trial will recruit a minimum of 240 patients with chronic advanced symptomatic heart failure.  The primary endpoint of the trial is a composite endpoint including mortality, morbidity, quality of life, Six Minute Walk Test and left ventricular structure and function at 9 months post-procedure.  

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About Cardio3 BioSciences

Cardio3 BioSciences is a Belgian leading biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of regenerative and protective therapies for the treatment of cardiac diseases. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in the Walloon region of Belgium. Cardio3 BioSciences leverages research collaborations in the US and in Europe with Mayo Clinic and the Cardiovascular Centre Aalst, Belgium.

The Company's lead product candidate C-Cure® is an innovative pharmaceutical product that is being developed for heart failure indication.  C-Cure® consists of a patient's own cells that are harvested from the patient's bone marrow and engineered to become new heart muscle cells that behave identically to those lost to heart disease. This process is known as Cardiopoiesis.

Cardio3 BioSciences has also developed C-Cath®_ez, the most technologically injection catheter with superior efficiency of delivery of bio therapeutic agents into the myocardium.  

Cardio3 BioSciences' shares are listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels and NYSE Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CARD.

C3BS-CQR-1, C-Cure, C-Cath, Cardio3 BioSciences and the Cardio3 BioSciences and C-Cath logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cardio3 BioSciences SA, in Belgium, other countries, or both. Mayo Clinic holds equity in Cardio3 BioSciences as a result of intellectual property licensed to the company. In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect our current expectations and projections about future events, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. These forward-looking statements are further qualified by important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including timely submission and approval of anticipated regulatory filings; the successful initiation and completion of required Phase III studies; additional clinical results validating the use of adult autologous stem cells to treat heart failure; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; and actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities. As a result, of these factors investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information contact:

Cardio3 BioSciences
Dr Christian Homsy, CEO
Anne Portzenheim, Communication Manager
http://www.c3bs.com
Tel: +32-10-39-41-00
[email protected]

   
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Chris Gardner
Tel: +44(0)207-638-9571

SOURCE Cardio3 BioSciences