ReNeuron successfully treats first patient

Stem cells therapy developer ReNeuron has successfully treated a stroke patient who underwent the safe, first-time administration of a higher dose of its new drug, ReN001.The firm ran the increased level of the stem cell therapy drug after the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board recommended that the trial be advanced. The company said: "We are pleased to report today that the first patient in this next dose cohort of three patients has been successfully treated with ReN001 and discharged from hospital with no acute safety issues arising." Eleven more patients are expected to complete the trial by the end of the year. The Scotland-based study is the world's first fully regulated clinical trial of a neural stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. Disabled stroke victims are the company's focus of study, which has shown that ReN0001 is able to reverse the functional deficits associated with stroke disability where administered several weeks after the stroke. The group added that, "if ultimately shown to be safe and effective clinically, ReN001 would offer a significant new treatment option for stroke survivors. The therapy offers the potential for a degree of recovery of function in disabled stroke patients, resulting in greater independence and quality of life for these patients and reduced reliance on health and social care systems." Despite the positive result the share price fell 3.23% to 4.50p by 15.26.NR