TSL.L Regulatory News (TSL)

29 Mar 2007 07:02

Tissue Science Laboratories PLC29 March 2007 29 March 2007 Tissue Science Laboratories plc Proof of Principle established for Porcine Ligament Graft Tissue Science Laboratories plc (LSE: TSL), the medical technology companyspecialising in biologic tissue replacement and repair products, is pleased toannounce that initial assessments of in-vivo functional studies with ourligament grafts have now completed. Following earlier successful biomechanical testing of TSL processed porcineligament grafts, the proof of principle study involved full reconstruction ofsheep anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) using TSL processed porcine ligamentgrafts and the subsequent follow-up of the animals through the initial healingphase. The study has demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and biomechanicalperformance, with the animals regaining function of their reconstructed kneejoints (ACL function). X-rays of the reconstructed joints confirmed and furtherindicated that joint structure was anatomically correct. We are seeking to develop a porcine derived ligament that retains strength, postprocessing and sterilisation, for cruciate ligament and other tendon/ligamentrepairs. In the US alone there are some 250,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)repair procedures per annum, 80,000 of which require reconstructive surgery. The success of the pre-clinical proof of principle ligament study follows theexcellent progress made in TSL's other R&D projects for the development ofporcine derived bone and vascular grafts. These projects achieved proof ofprinciple in September 2006 and January 2007 respectively. Commenting on today's announcement, Martin Hunt, Chief Executive of TSL said: "When we set out our plans for research into these three new tissue projects toshareholders in the spring of 2005, we set some very ambitious targets ofdemonstrating proof of principle within two years. It is very pleasing to beable to report that all three projects have achieved this objective on or aheadof plan. "What we did not expect, but are clearly very excited about, is that the studieswould also produce such interesting data, which we believe we can use toestablish new intellectual property ("IP") positions around our core technology. Our immediate next step, therefore, is to progress the work required to secureand protect this new IP and to lock in this potential value for shareholders. Longer term, we have already commenced work to assess the range of fundingoptions that are open to us and which would enable the progression of theseprojects through to the next stage of their clinical and commercial development.Such options are clearly influenced by the strength of our IP position. Weanticipate being in a position to provide a further update on this at theinterim results in September." -Ends- Enquiries: TSL plc Tel: 01252 369 603 --------------------Martin Hunt, Chief Executive www.tissuescience.com -----------------------David Jennings, Finance Director Hogarth Partnership Limited Tel: 020 7357 9477James Longfield / Sarah Richardson This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange