Its technology originally spun out of a research collaboration between Columbia University and Australian scientists, leading to the founding of the company in 2004. So far, says Itescu, Mesoblast’s treatment has been tested in clinical trials in over 1,100 graft-vs-host patients. that treatment with remestemcel-L in a group of 12 COVID-19 patients with ARDS at Mt. Mesoblast's stem cells replicating during the manufacturing process.I'm a senior editor at Forbes covering healthcare, science, and cutting edge technology. Mesoblast’s remestemcel-L treatment is derived from allogenic mesenchymal stem cells, which when infused into the body can slow down an immune response and prevent the body from damaging itself. Another key feature of Mesoblast’s cells is they can be administered to patients without the need for donor–recipient matching or recipient immune suppression. On April 1, the FDA accepted a priority review filing for use of the treatment against graft-vs-host disease. “If the cells work in COVID-19 ARDS, we’re in a position to provide products to as many patients as possible.” For coronavirus patients, ARDS is one of the deadliest complications of the disease, and often ends up requiring the use of ventilators in order to ensure they’re getting sufficient oxygen. “That would be in line with how it works with graft-versus-host disease.”Itesecu says that his company is focused on the next phase of its clinical research in the midst of this pandemic, and hopes it proves to be part of a number of effective therapies against the disease. "Since recurrent hospitalization rates and mortality in COPD are associated with both high levels of CRP and progressive decline in the six-minute walk test, these results suggest that remestemcel-L could provide longer-term benefits for COPD patients with high levels of inflammation," he said.Shares in Mesoblast have had a rollercoaster of a day, dancing between red and green several times within the first hour of trade. “We were very pleased with preliminary data demonstrating the cells seem to have benefitted some of these patients,” says CEO Silviu Itescu.
Haifa, Israel-based Pluristem, which is developing stem cell treatments as well, secured 50 million Euro (about $55.4 million) in financing this week from the European Investment Bank to support its COVID-19 trials.So far, says Itescu, Mesoblast’s treatment has been tested in clinical trials in over 1,100 graft-vs-host patients.
Under the trial, 60 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were tested against a placebo control group to monitor the efficacy of remestemcel-L. It’s caused by what’s known as a “cytokine storm” - an overreaction of the immune system in which the body ends up damaging the lungs in an attempt to destroy the coronavirus and the lung cells that it has infected. The company's most advanced product candidate is OV101, under a phase III trial in Angelman syndrome, dubbed NEPTUNE, with topline results expected in … Trial results underpin Mesoblast's Biologics License Application to seek approval of its product candidate RYONCIL™ (remestemcel-L) for pediatric steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), which has been accepted for priority review by the … The company is one of several biotech firms aiming to use mesenchymal stem cells as a potential COVID-19 treatment. “It’s a trade-off being trying to get rid of the virus and trying to limit destruction to your own lung tissue.”According to the CDC, between 20-42% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients develop ARDS, with as many as 85% of patients admitted to intensive care having this complication. patent by the United States Patent Office (USPO).Medical research company Mesoblast (MSB) has taken a dive today despite announcing what appears outwardly as good news. Mesoblast Chief Executive Dr Silviu Itescu stated: “Remestemcel-L has two imminent major milestones, the interim analysis in the ongoing Phase 3 trial …
Using Mesoblast’s treatment for coronavirus patients with ARDS “has a rationale behind it” says Dr. Wayne Marasco, who’s studied a number of coronavirus diseases and is currently researching potential antibody treatments for COVID-19.