RENE.L Regulatory News (RENE)

2 Oct 2009 07:00



PRESS RELEASE

ReNeuron announces publication of new research using ReNcell® stem cell products

Guildford, UK, 2 October 2009: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) announces the recent publication of new research using its ReNcell® neural stem cell products. These human cell lines and supporting products are marketed through US-based Millipore Corporation for academic and commercial research. 

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California have developed a safe strategy for reprogramming cells to a pluripotent state without the use of the potentially harmful viral delivery mechanisms or genomic insertions that were necessary in earlier cell reprogramming studies conducted elsewhere. In the study, researchers were able to reprogramme ReNeuron's ReNcell®VM cell line using a single factor to generate stable human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), similar to human embryonic stem cells with the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. The current excitement surrounding iPS cells lies in their potential to circumvent the need to extract such pluripotent stem cells from the early human embryo, as is the case with human embryonic stem cells.

The research paper describes the ReNcell®VM cell line used in the study as representing a reliable, homogenous and commercially available tool to dissect the individual factors required for cell reprogramming, and a potentially better standard model for fundamental cell reprogramming studies than human primary fibroblasts, a cell type typically used in this type of research. Moreover, the paper describes the reprogramming strategy used in the study, due to its lack of viral or transgene interference with the cells, as representing a safe way to generate iPS cells for potential clinical use as well as basic research.

The research, led by UCSD Stem Cell Program researcher Alysson Muotri, PhD, assistant professor in the Departments of Pediatrics at UC San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego and UCSD's Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, was published in the on-line journal, PLoS One in September (Marchetto, M.C.N. et al. (2009) PLoS ONE 4(9), e7076).

Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said: 

"This latest publication is a clear example of how ReNeuron's ReNcell® lines can be successfully used at the very cutting edge of stem cell research. In this study, the ReNcell®VM cell line was proven to be efficient in generating stable iPS cells at a significantly higher frequency than that obtained using human primary fibroblasts. Furthermore, the study showed for the first time that the iPS cells generated carried a transcriptional "signature" of the original ReNcell® donor cells, raising interesting questions as to what effects, if any, this "memory retention" might have.

"We are delighted to work with Millipore to make these valuable stem cell research tools available to the scientific community."

Enquiries:

About ReNeuron

ReNeuron is a leading, UK-based stem cell business. Its primary objective is the development of stem cell therapies targeting areas of significant unmet or poorly met medical need.

ReNeuron has received regulatory and conditional ethical approvals to commence a Phase I clinical trial in the UK with its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. The Company is developing stem cell therapies for a number of other conditions, including peripheral arterial disease and diseases of the retina.

ReNeuron has also developed a range of stem cell lines for non-therapeutic applications - its ReNcell® products for use in academic and commercial research. The Company's ReNcell®CX and ReNcell®VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by USA-based Millipore Corporation.

ReNeuron's shares are traded on the London AIM market under the symbol RENE.L. Further information on ReNeuron and its products can be found at www.reneuron.com.

About Millipore

Millipore (NYSE: MIL) is a Life Science leader providing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As a strategic partner, Millipore collaborates with customers to confront the world's challenging human health issues. From research to development to production, Millipore's scientific expertise and innovative solutions help customers tackle their most complex problems and achieve their goals. Millipore Corporation is an S&P 500 company with more than 5,900 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.millipore.com.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business achievements/performance of ReNeuron and certain of the plans and objectives of management of ReNeuron with respect thereto. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as "should", "expects", "estimates", "believes" or similar expressions. This announcement also contains forward-looking statements attributed to certain third parties relating to their estimates regarding the growth of markets and demand for products. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect ReNeuron's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of factors could cause ReNeuron's actual financial condition, results of operations and business achievements/performance to differ materially from the estimates made or implied in such forward-looking statements and, accordingly, reliance should not be placed on such statements.