RENE.L Regulatory News (RENE)

15 Jul 2008 07:00



ReNeuron announces new data regarding its ReNcell® neural stem cell lines

Guildford, UK, 15 July 2008: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announces new published data regarding its ReNcell® neural stem cell lines. These human cell lines and supporting products are marketed through US-based Millipore Corporation as drug discovery tools for academic and commercial research. 

The study was undertaken by Dr Alison Wood-Kaczmar, Dr Sarah Tabrizi, Professor Nick Wood and their colleagues at the Institute of Neurology in London, supported by a Programme Grant from the UK Medical Research Council.  The results demonstrate how the ReNcell®VM cell line can be used to model the pathogenesis of certain inherited forms of Parkinson's disease. The ReNcell®VM cell line was used to generate a novel cellular model investigating the loss-of-function of PINK1, a gene closely associated with early onset Parkinson's disease.  This model provides a unique insight into the mechanisms by which aberrations in the PINK1 gene may give rise to familial Parkinson's disease.

The results are published in the on-line journal, PLoS one (Wood-Kaczmar, A. et al. (2008) PLoS ONE 3(6), e2455).

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

"This latest publication is an elegant example of how ReNeuron's ReNcell® lines can be readily modified and used to model human neurodegenerative disease 'in a dish'. The model described in this paper represents an in vitro system highly relevant to human Parkinson's disease, which can be generated at lower cost and with greater species relevance than could be achieved using a transgenic animal model.  We are delighted to work with Millipore Corporation to make these valuable research tools available to the scientific community."

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About ReNeuron

ReNeuron is a leading, UK-based stem cell business. It is applying its novel stem cell platform technologies in the development of ground-breaking stem cell therapies targeting significant unmet or poorly-met clinical needs.

ReNeuron has used its proprietary, patented cell expansion technology to generate genetically stable stem cell lines. This technology platform has multi-national patent protection and is fully regulated by means of a chemically-induced safety switch. Cell growth can therefore be completely arrested prior to in vivo implantation. ReNeuron's clinically-tested cell encapsulation technology provides a method of protecting cells when transplanted, as well as reducing or eliminating the host immune response that might otherwise occur post-transplantation.

ReNeuron is filing for approval to commence initial clinical studies with its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. There are an estimated 50 million stroke survivors worldwide, approximately one half of which are left with permanent disabilities. The annual health and social costs of caring for these patients is estimated to be in excess of £5 billion in the UK and in excess of US$50 billion in the US. In addition to its stroke programme, ReNeuron is developing stem cell therapies for a number of neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Type 1 diabetes 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. ReNeuron's ReNcell®CX and ReNcell®VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by US-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.

Data sources: UK Stroke Association; American Stroke Association

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.