ReNeuron Group to begin stem cell treatment of critical limb ischaemia

ReNeuron Group has received regulatory approval to begin the first phase of a clinical trial in the UK for the company's ReN009 stem cell therapy treatment for critical limb ischaemia.Critical limb ischaemia, a condition which leads to blood vessel blockage in limbs such as toes and can lead to amputation, is ReNeuron's second major disease target after stroke in its CTX stem cell line.The stem cell therapeutics group said ReN009 has the potential to restore sufficient blood flow in the affected lower limb of patients with the condition.The Phase 1 clinical trial will be undertaken though NHS Tayside at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, Scotland.ReN009 cells will be administered via straightforward intramuscular injection into the affected lower limb of nine patients with peripheral arterial disease.ReNeuron was recently awarded a late stage biomedical catalyst grant of £0.4m from the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Government's innovation agency, to be deployed towards the cost of the study."These clinical trial approvals for our next major disease target, together with the recently announced biomedical catalyst funding for the Phase I critical limb ischaemia study, represent strong endorsements of the strength of ReNeuron's technologies and its CTX stem cell therapy candidate," said Chief Executive Officer Michael Hunt. Shares climbed 1.94% to 3.15p at 10:08 Tuesday.RD