RENE.L Regulatory News (RENE)

9 Oct 2006 09:50

ReNeuron Group plc09 October 2006 PRESS RELEASE ReNeuron to Present at American Neurological Association Conference -Results to Form Part of Data Package to the US FDA In Support of Application to Commence Clinical Studies with ReN001- Guildford, UK, 9 October 2006: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announcesthat it will present key pre-clinical efficacy data regarding its ReN001 stemcell therapy for stroke at the 131st Annual Meeting of the American NeurologicalAssociation in Chicago, US on October 8-11. The poster presentation willdescribe the positive and dose dependent effects of ReN001 in a pre-clinicalrodent model of chronic stroke disability. The results of the studies demonstrate that higher doses of clinical-gradeReN001 stem cells have the potential to reverse both the sensory and motorsymptoms associated with stroke disability. These results will form part of theCompany's data package in support of its impending application to the US FDA tocommence initial clinical studies with ReN001. More information about the conference may be found at www.aneuroa.org. Enquiries: ReNeuronMichael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 44 (0)1483 302 560John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer Financial DynamicsDavid Yates Tel: 44 (0)20 7831 3113Sarah Macleod Notes to Editors ReNeuron is a leading, UK-based adult stem cell therapy business. The Group isapplying its novel stem cell platform technologies in the development ofground-breaking stem cell therapies to serve significant and unmet or poorly-metclinical needs. ReNeuron has used its c-mycERTAM technology to generate genetically stableneural stem cell lines. This technology platform has multi-national patentprotection and is fully regulated by means of a chemically-induced safetyswitch. Cell growth can therefore be completely arrested prior to in vivoimplantation. The Group's lead stem cell therapy, ReN001 for chronic stroke disability, is inlate pre-clinical development. The Company plans to file for approval tocommence a Phase I clinical study in stroke by the end of 2006, with the studycommencing as soon as possible thereafter. There are an estimated 50 million1stroke survivors worldwide, approximately half of which are left with permanentdisabilities. The healthcare costs of caring for these patients is estimated toamount to $45 billion2 in the US alone. The Group has also generated pre-clinical efficacy data with its ReN005 stemcell therapy for Huntington's disease, a genetic and fatal neurodegenerativedisorder that affects around 1 in 10,000 people. This programme is inpre-clinical development. In addition to its stroke and Huntington's disease programmes, ReNeuron isdeveloping stem cell therapies for Parkinson's disease, Type 1 diabetes anddiseases of the retina. ReNeuron has also leveraged its stem cell technologies into non-therapeuticareas - its ReNcell range of cell lines for use in drug discovery applicationsin the pharmaceutical industry. ReNeuron's shares are traded on the London AIM market under the symbol RENE.L,and its warrants are traded under the symbol RENW.L. Further information on ReNeuron and its products can be found atwww.reneuron.com. 1. MOSES (Morbidity and mortality after stroke - Eprosartan vs nitrendipine for secondary prevention) study, Feb 2006 2. American Heart Association, Reporting Standards for Carotid Artery Angioplasty and Stent Placement, (Stroke, 2004; 35:e112). 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