RENE.L Regulatory News (RENE)

22 Jun 2007 07:01

ReNeuron Group plc22 June 2007 ReNeuron scientists generate pancreatic cell lines for treatment of diabetes Guildford, UK, 22 June 2007: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announcesthat it has taken a major step forward with its ReN002 diabetes programme withthe generation of new data concerning its pancreatic cell lines for thetreatment of Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. ReNeuron scientists have generatedstable human pancreatic cell lines that form islet-like cell clusters. Theseclusters were shown to secrete insulin in response to glucose concentrations,demonstrating their potential as a cell therapy candidate for Type 1,insulin-dependent, diabetes patients. The cell lines were generated using ReNeuron's patented c-mycER stem cellexpansion technology, and can be continuously grown in culture. The cell lineswere pre-screened for both genetic stability and their ability to express theappropriate phenotypic markers for insulin-producing beta cells, such as theislet cell transcription factor PDX1 and the functional beta cell receptorGLP1R. These results will be presented at the JDRF Center for Beta Cell Therapy inDiabetes' 2007 Training Course in Bath, UK on 26-28 June. The ReN002 cells arecurrently being taken forward into pre-clinical models of diabetes. The Companybelieves that its ability to efficiently expand well-characterised ReN002 cellsusing its c-mycER technology may offer a solution to the current problem facingexperimental islet cell transplantation - the limited availability of donatedpancreas tissue from which to derive purified islets. Commenting on the announcement, Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer ofReNeuron, said: "We are excited by these results with our ReN002 programme, not least becausehaving already demonstrated the ability of our c-mycER stem cell expansionplatform to generate viable cell lines for neurological disorders, these newdata indicate the potential of the technology to work in other significantdisease areas. We now have the basis of a scalable cell therapy approach toType 1 diabetes, a major disease target and one in which we believe cell therapywill play an important role in addressing in the future." Enquiries: ReNeuronMichael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0) 1483 302560Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer Financial DynamicsDavid Yates Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113Nicola Daley About diabetes Type 1, or juvenile, insulin-dependent diabetes usually strikes in childhood andleads to the progressive destruction of the insulin-secreting pancreatic isletcells and impaired glucose metabolism. This can result in complications such asblindness, neuropathies, and kidney and liver problems. There is no effectivecure. Recombinant insulin injection is the principal current treatment,together with diet management. A small number of patients receive pancreastransplants but donor organ supply is low and the immunosuppressant drug regimenrequired is problematic. Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-15% of all diagnosed cases ofdiabetes. There are estimated to be 5 million sufferers of Type 1 diabetesworldwide. The direct and indirect costs of Type 1 diabetes in the US areestimated at US$5 billion per annum. About ReNeuron ReNeuron is a leading, UK-based stem cell therapy business. It is applying itsnovel stem cell platform technologies in the development of ground-breaking stemcell therapies to serve significant and unmet or poorly-met clinical needs. ReNeuron has used its c-mycER technology to generate genetically stable stemcell lines from non-embryonic tissue sources. This technology platform hasmulti-national patent protection and is fully regulated by means of achemically-induced safety switch. Cell growth can therefore be completelyarrested prior to in vivo implantation. ReNeuron has filed for approval to commence initial clinical studies in the USwith its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for chronic stroke disability. Thisrepresents the world's first such filing concerning a neural stem cell treatmentfor a major neurological disorder. There are an estimated 50 million strokesurvivors worldwide, approximately one half of which are left with permanentdisabilities. The annual health and social costs of caring for these patientsis estimated to be in excess of £5 billion in the UK and in excess of US$50billion in the US. ReNeuron has also generated pre-clinical efficacy data with its ReN005 stem celltherapy for Huntington's disease, a genetic and fatal neurodegenerative disorderthat affects around 1 in 10,000 people. This programme is in pre-clinicaldevelopment. In addition to its stroke and Huntington's disease programmes,ReNeuron is developing stem cell therapies for Parkinson's disease, Type 1diabetes and diseases of the retina. ReNeuron has also leveraged its stem cell technologies into non-therapeuticareas - its ReNcell(R) range of cell lines for use in research and in drugdiscovery applications in the pharmaceutical industry. ReNeuron's ReNcell(R)CXand ReNcell(R)VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license byMillipore 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 atwww.reneuron.com. Data sources: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; UK Stroke Association;American Stroke Association. This announcement contains forward-looking statements with respect to thefinancial condition, results of operations and business achievements/performanceof ReNeuron and certain of the plans and objectives of management of ReNeuronwith respect thereto. These statements may generally, but not always, beidentified by the use of words such as "should", "expects", "estimates","believes" or similar expressions. This announcement also containsforward-looking statements attributed to certain third parties relating to theirestimates regarding the growth of markets and demand for products. By theirnature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because theyreflect ReNeuron's current expectations and assumptions as to future events andcircumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of factors could causeReNeuron's actual financial condition, results of operations and businessachievements/performance to differ materially from the estimates made or impliedin such forward-looking statements and, accordingly, reliance should not beplaced on such statements. The terms 'ReNeuron', 'the Company' or 'the Group' used in this statement referto ReNeuron Group plc and/or its subsidiary undertakings, depending on thecontext. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange