RENE.L Regulatory News (RENE)

23 Apr 2008 07:00

ReNeuron Group plc23 April 2008 ReNeuron announces further pre-clinical data with its ReN003 programme for diseases of the retina Guildford, UK, 23 April 2008: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announcesfurther pre-clinical data regarding its ReN003 stem cell therapy programme fordiseases of the retina. The research was conducted by Dr Michael Young's team at the Schepens EyeResearch Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, US. ReNeuron's ReN003human retinal progenitor cells were tested in a rodent model of damaged retina.Between 14 and 28 days after transplantation into the sub-retinal space, thecells were seen to integrate with the host retinal tissue. A sub-population ofthese integrated cells differentiated into cells exhibiting the characteristicsof photoreceptors, expressing the proteins rhodopsin and recoverin, markers forthe light-sensitive rod cells found in healthy retina. These results therefore indicate the potential utility of ReNeuron's prototypeReN003 cell line as a therapy for blindness-causing diseases characterised bydamage to the retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa, age-related maculardegeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The results will be presented by DrYoung at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision andOphthalmology (ARVO) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 27 April to 1 May, 2008.1 Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said: "We are greatly encouraged by these new results generated by Mike Young and histeam at Schepens using our prototype ReN003 retinal cell line. There is stillmuch work to do before this cell line can be taken into the clinic, but theseearly pre-clinical results give us the confidence to move the programme in thatdirection as quickly as possible." Dr Young commented: "We are very excited about the potential these cells hold for the treatment ofretinal degeneration." 1. Programme /poster 3571/D724: SG Schmitt, U Aftab, C Jiang, B Tucker, LStevanato, E Miljan, J Sinden, H Klassen, M Young Enquiries: ReNeuronMichael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0) 1483 302560Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer Financial DynamicsEuropeDavid Yates Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113Lara MottUSRobert Stanislaro Tel : +1 212 850 5657 Collins StewartTim Mickley Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000 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. TheCompany operates from laboratories in Surrey, UK and Los Angeles, California,USA. ReNeuron has used its proprietary, patented cell expansion technology togenerate genetically stable neural stem cell lines. This technology platformhas multi-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. Inaddition to its stroke programme, ReNeuron is developing stem cell therapies forParkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Type 1 diabetes and diseases of theretina. The Company recently acquired the business assets of AmCyte Inc. in theUS, bringing clinically-tested cell encapsulation technology to ReNeuron'sReN002 diabetes programme. ReNeuron has leveraged its stem cell technologies into non-therapeutic areas -its ReNcell(R) range of cell lines for use in research and in drug discoveryapplications in the pharmaceutical industry. ReNeuron's ReNcell(R)CX andReNcell(R)VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by MilliporeCorporation. 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. About the Schepens Eye Research Institute Schepens Eye Research Institute fights blindness by developing new technologies,therapies and knowledge to preserve and restore vision. Through a continuum ofdiscovery, the Institute works toward a future in which blindness is prevented,alleviated, and, ultimately, cured. Founded in 1950 by famed retinal surgeon Charles L. Schepens, M.D., Schepens EyeResearch Institute is the largest independent eye research institute in theUnited States and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Since its inception,the Institute has trained more than 600 postdoctoral fellows in variousdisciplines of eye research; trained more than 500 eye surgeons who now practicearound the world; and published more than 4,600 scientific papers and booksabout health and eye disease. 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange