Thursday, 18 November 2010


PRESS RELEASE

ReNeuron announces first patient treated in landmark stroke stem cell clinical trial

First ever clinical trial in stroke using expanded neural stem cells
First company to gain approval to undertake stem cell trial in the UK
Promotes clinical innovation in the NHS


Guildford, UK, 16 November 2010: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announces that the first patient has been treated with the Company’s ReN001 stem cell therapy for stroke in a ground-breaking UK clinical trial. The PISCES study (Pilot Investigation of Stem Cells in Stroke) is the world’s first fully regulated clinical trial of a neural stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. ReNeuron is the first company to have received regulatory approval for any stem cell-based clinical trial in the UK. Stroke is the third largest cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in the developed world.

The first patient in the PISCES trial was treated at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board and was safely discharged two days after the straightforward neuro-surgical procedure used to administer the ReN001 cells.

In this Phase I trial, ReNeuron’s ReN001 stem cell therapy is being administered to stroke patients who have been left disabled by an ischaemic stroke, the most common form of the condition. The Principal Investigator for the trial is Professor Keith Muir, SINAPSE Professor of Clinical Imaging, Division of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Glasgow. At Glasgow Southern General, Professor Muir leads one of Europe’s most innovative and well-recognised stroke treatment centres.

The PISCES trial is designed primarily to test the safety profile of ReN001 in ischaemic stroke patients at a range of cell doses, but a number of efficacy measures will also be evaluated over the course of the trial. Patients in the trial will be monitored for two years, with longer term follow-up procedures in place thereafter.

Assuming a satisfactory independent Data Safety Monitoring Board review of the first patient’s progress in December, the remainder of the first dose cohort in the trial will be treated shortly thereafter. Subject to satisfactory safety data arising from the early patient cohorts in the trial, the Company intends to pursue an accelerated clinical development pathway with ReN001, focusing on particular stroke patient groups who are expected to most benefit from the therapy.

Dr. Keith Muir said:

“We are pleased that the first patient in the PISCES trial has undergone surgery successfully. Stroke is a common and serious condition that leaves a large number of people with significant disability. In this trial, we are seeking to establish the safety and feasibility of stem cell implantation, which will require careful follow-up of the patients who take part. We hope that in future it will lead on to larger studies to determine the effects of stem cells on the disabilities that result from stroke.”

Michael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer of ReNeuron, said:

“The initiation of the PISCES clinical trial is a major and hard-won milestone for ReNeuron and a significant milestone in the development of therapies to address the severely disabling effects of ischaemic stroke. We are delighted to be working with Professor Keith Muir and his team at one of Europe’s pre-eminent stroke treatment centres and, in so doing, helping to promote the uptake of clinical innovation in the NHS system. Our thanks and best wishes go to the first patient and his family for their participation in this important and ground-breaking clinical trial.”

Enquiries:

Michael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer - ReNeuron +44 (0) 1483 302560
Dr John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer - ReNeuron

Mark Court, Isabel Podda
Buchanan Communications +44 (0) 20 7466 5000

Emma Earl, Oliver Rigby
Daniel Stewart & Company plc +44 (0) 20 7776 6550

Alastair Stratton, Tim Graham
Matrix Corporate Capital LLP +44 (0) 20 3206 7000


About stroke

Approximately 150,000 people suffer a stroke in the UK each year. The vast majority of these strokes are ischaemic in nature, caused by a blockage of blood flow in the brain (as opposed to a haemorrhagic or bleeding stroke).

Approximately one half of all stroke survivors are left with permanent disabilities as a result of the damage caused to brain tissue arising from the stroke. The annual health and social costs of caring for these patients is estimated to be in excess of £5 billion in the UK, with stroke patients estimated to be occupying at least 25 per cent of long term hospital beds.

The only current treatment for ischaemic stroke patients occurs in the acute phase of the condition (within several hours of the stroke), when anti-clotting agents are administered to dissolve the clot causing the blockage in blood flow to the brain. Only a small proportion of patients get to the hospital in time to be treated in this way.

Beyond the acute phase, there are no existing treatments, other than preventative or rehabilitation measures, to alleviate the disabilities suffered by stroke patients who have survived their stroke.

Source: UK Stroke Association

About ReNeuron’s ReN001 stem cell therapy for stroke

ReNeuron’s ReN001 cell therapy for stroke consists of a neural stem cell line, designated CTX, which has been generated using the Company’s proprietary cell expansion and cell selection technologies and then taken through a full manufacturing scale-up and quality-testing process. As such, ReN001 is a standardised, clinical and commercial-grade cell therapy product capable of treating all eligible patients presenting.

ReN001 has been shown to reverse the functional deficits associated with stroke disability when administered several weeks after the stroke event in relevant pre-clinical models of the condition. Extensive pre-clinical testing also indicates that the therapy is safe, with the ReN001 cells eventually cleared from the body with no adverse safety effects arising.

In the PISCES Phase I trial, a total of 12 patients will receive the ReN001 therapy between 6 and 24 months after their stroke. If ultimately shown to be safe and effective clinically, ReN001 would therefore offer a significant new treatment option for stroke survivors. The therapy offers the potential for a degree of recovery of function in disabled stroke patients, resulting in greater independence and quality of life for these patients and reduced reliance on health and social care systems.

The ReN001 cells that are being used in the initial clinical trial are taken from the existing manufactured cell banks that will form the basis of the eventual marketed product. There will therefore be no need to re-derive and test new ReN001 cell lines for subsequent clinical trials or for the market – all such cells can simply be expanded from the existing banked and tested product.

About the Institute of Neurological Sciences at Glasgow University

The clinical Stroke Research Group of the Division of Clinical Neurosciences is based at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at Glasgow University, and has major collaborations, internally with the Glasgow Experimental MRI Centre, with SINAPSE (Scottish Imaging Network: A Platform for Scientific Excellence), and with the Translational Medicine Research Initiative (TMRI). Around 900 patients per year are admitted through the Acute Stroke Unit, which provides stroke services to the population of south Glasgow and specialist stroke treatments for the West of Scotland.

The unit is the highest user of acute clot-busting (thrombolytic) treatment in the UK at present, and has been extensively involved in clinical trials in stroke. Major research interests include evaluation of advanced brain imaging techniques in acute stroke, development of novel brain imaging techniques, improving the use of clot-busting drug treatments in stroke, and developing trial methodology for evaluation of regenerative treatments. The group has support from the Stroke Association, the Medical Research Council, and the TMRI. Further work with regenerative strategies include collaborations with groups developing both drug-based and stem cell therapies across Europe.
About ReNeuron
ReNeuron is a leading, clinical-stage stem cell business. Its primary objective is the development of novel stem cell therapies targeting areas of significant unmet or poorly met medical need.

ReNeuron has used its unique stem cell technologies to develop cell-based therapies for significant disease conditions where the cells can be readily administered “off-the-shelf” to any eligible patient without the need for additional immunosuppressive drug treatments. ReNeuron’s lead candidate is its ReN001 stem cell therapy for the treatment of patients left disabled by the effects of a stroke. This therapy is currently in early clinical development. ReNeuron’s ReN009 stem cell therapy is being developed as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, a serious and common side-effect of diabetes. The Company is also developing stem cell therapies for other conditions such as blindness-causing 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. The Company’s ReNcell®CX and ReNcell®VM neural cell lines are marketed worldwide under license by USA-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.


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.

The New York Marathon



From: Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE Sent: 10 November 2010 11:59Subject: MY FIRST MARATHON AND THE MISSING 16 MINUTES!

Hi

Well, I did it! My crazy gang of advisers, quacks, physio, osteopath, trainer and local vet managed to sufficiently repair my torn calf in just 3 weeks to get me to the starting line in New York on Sunday. We needed more time but didn’t have any left. Whilst I hadn't done a big training run in 6 weeks, nor got in any runs at all in last 4 weeks, we gambled on some old Port Talbot muscle memory, a bit of grit and a lot of pride clicking in on the big day.

Sunday morning 6.30am was bloody cold with a horribly sharp wind. I turned up at the starting place in a running vest to find I had 4 hours to kill with absolutely no shelter and nowhere to huddle and hide from the cold. Bloody freezing. I needed some protection so I offered some Mexican dustbin men $5 for one of their bin bags to wear over my vest but they said it was against State of New York legislation or something. So, me and Danny emptied some trash from a big wheelie bin and I put that one on. Brought back memories. Bliss! A real life saver. Strutted around for 3hrs warm and cosy and looking like an extra from Braveheart. Then came the start, I peeled off the garbage bag and went off like a shot.

The sun came out and the wind dropped as we ran across the big open bridges into the City. Beautiful day and I must have given a thousand little kids a thousand high fives as I blasted along the streets. The screaming New Yorkers on the pavement were fantastic and the dozen or so bands playing Bruce Springsteen songs were brilliantly distracting from the hard graft. This is what a marathon should be all about – not just grinding pain in the rain.

Anne was texting me on my mobile to let me know she was monitoring my progress on the internet and was bit shocked as I hammered it to about 28km and looked like I was well on my old training schedule times and could come in at 20 mins under the big 4 hour mark. For a 53 year old fogey not bad! She was more worried about my torn calf than I was.

Unfortunately, dream on Sir C. It was not to be. At around 30k my calf blew out as I'd dreaded and some pundits had predicted and I literally ended up sat on a pavement gutter with a load of rappers and hoodies pushing me back on the road to get back in the race. They were great but my leg wasn't. I walked and jogged for about 20 mins and a pantomine horse, a bride in wedding dress and a bloke wearing a shed all whizzed past me. Demoralising. Then, just as I was semi-recovering a sensible pace some implausibly large American lady I'd just limped past got her revenge by charging into me from behind, smashing my hand into a concrete pillar and trampled all over me for good measure. Hey, who said marathons were for wimps?!

I was absolutely not giving up! A few failed attempts to limp along and eventually I just sort of accepted the pain in my swollen calf and now swollen right hand and got on with a faster jog. At 22 miles other bits began to fall off the Evans lorry and hurt as I was badly overcompensating on my left leg. This was bloody hard work guys!

Then I saw the 25 mile banner up ahead and Bruce Springsteen’s "Born To Run" echoed out across Central Park. Anne and Katy appeared on the sidelines and screamed for me to NOT stop now. There were indeed a lot of runners keeling over at that very last little stretch with just 1.2 miles to go. No way, as I could sniff the finish medal. I put on my best and fastest limp since whingeing to myself in the Bronx and blasted home dragging my dodgy leg with me. I’d only had two sachets of Paul Booth’s legendary ‘PD’ energy drink in the whole four hour race period but boy they worked, keeping my sugar levels high and lactic acid low.

I knew at the outset I wouldn't be able to get a great time under 4hrs for us over 50s mob, not on this occasion with my gammy leg and stopping and walking etc. I was pleased with my finish though at 4hrs 16 mins but gutted that, despite all the handicaps and incidents, I just needed 16 more minutes to have pipped the 4hr mark. Should have taken more pain sooner and for longer - only 16mins! Getting too soft in my old age!

So, that's it. Attached is a photo of me and my accomplice Danny sheltering afterwards in a rather luxurious hotel.

Thank you all for kindly donating to my cause to help The Children’s Hospital of Wales. With monies through my Giving sites, cheques sent in the post and recent pledges made I think I raised approx £20,000. If anyone feels like sending me more then please do so at
www.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristopherEvans and I promise never to send another long email ever again! This total raised so far ain’t bad for a first marathon and the whole thing has been a fun experience despite a bit of struggle and pain here and there. As Edward, an investor at EIF put it to me "remember... pain is temporary but failure is forever!". I got the medal, the Welsh hospital got a load of cash and you guys gave me the motivation to make it all happen and not sit this one out.

Thanks for your brilliant support. Just sixteen bloody minutes!! Until next time.......

Cheers.

Chris

If you want to look at his page it is
www.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristopherEvans and also www.justgiving.com/SirChris-Evans


We seemed to have missed this
http://www.shedworking.co.uk/2010/11/sir-christopher-evans-shedworker.html it looks like he gave an interview to an FT reporter (Gardening).

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Acquisitive Lab21 lines up new purchase
Written by Tony Quested Thursday, 05 August 2010 15:10
News - Life Sciences

When Sir Christopher Evans, founding father of the Cambridge biotechnology cluster, advises you to follow the progress of a young life sciences company, you sit up and listen.
To ignore his built-in radar of genuinely disruptive healthcare sector plays is not unlike dismissing a share tip from Warren Buffett.Sir Christopher flagged up the potential of clinical diagnostics business Lab21 from day one. He felt it would go on to be a prime accelerator of the race towards personalised medicines.Five years on and this young company, with a headquarters at Cambridge Science Park and important facilities in Newmarket and Ipswich, is more than living up to its promise and is now poised for its next phase of growth.For a long while, the healthcare revolution promised by Sanger’s mapping of the Human Genome failed to materialise. Now the world is moving inexorably towards truly personalised healthcare. Mike Annable, who is Divisional Director for Diagnostic Services at the Science Park clinical laboratory, points out: “Lab21’s founder, Dr Berwyn Clarke, was already working in our current Science Park HQ from 2000 and realised the potential in this area so, when the chance came to lay the foundations for Lab21 on such a prestigious location, and in a facility he knew well, he didn’t let the opportunity pass by.”The Lab21 team is in pole position to contribute right now by working with pharmaceutical clients to deliver high-quality diagnostic information on drugs and patients that provides real clinical insight.The company has gained major international traction as it increasingly supports healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with technically advanced testing services, building exciting collaborations in the Personalised Medicine field.Mike Annable adds that the company has built a highly experienced and globally respected team from its Cambridge HQ, which houses both administrative functions and the core service delivery elements of the business. The company also has facilities in Ipswich, Newmarket, Liverpool and Dorset – and now global expansion is on the radar with facilities in South Carolina.Mike said: “Not only has the Science Park been a useful springboard to international trade, but also we work with or for other Science Park companies – so in itself it is a useful source of business which we hope will expand as we continue to seek strategic co-operations and licensing opportunities.“It also helps us to be relatively close to the University of Cambridge and also Addenbrooke’s Hospital, whose site is soon to house Europe’s leading biomedical campus.“We have gleaned a lot of experience and skill for a relatively small company and have also followed an extremely focused strategy to bring in complementary expertise. As at the end of 2009 we had made five acquisitions in an 18 month period, four of them in 2009, growing revenues four-fold over the same time period.”One of the most significant of the acquisitions was in South Carolina in December, which gave Lab21 an instant footprint in the highly important United States marketplace.Lab21 bought Selah Technologies LLC, which has exciting, proprietary nanotechnologies for use in in-vitro and in-vivo diagnostic products. In parallel, Lab21 formed Lab21 Inc., headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, with a 10,000 sq ft state-of-the-art diagnostics service laboratory under construction and product distribution operations in addition to Selah Technologies.Lab21 Inc. was established in Greenville with the significant support of the South Carolina Department of Commerce and other public and private organisations committed to promoting South Carolina as a centre of the knowledge economy. Mike says Lab21, has been adopted as something of a “poster child” for anyone investing in laboratory facilities in the State.The new diagnostic service laboratory which, just like the Cambridge laboratory will comply with US CLIA regulatory requirements, will have a particular focus on oncology, a field in which it is universally believed the first personalised medicines will be developed. It is predicted that over 80 per cent of all new oncology therapies developed over the next 10 years will need an accompanying patient diagnostic test before the drug is administered; called a companion diagnostic. This is the sector of the diagnostic market in which Lab21 believes its core experience and skills will help drive further growth.Back in the UK there are now 25 out of a total 100 staff at Lab21’s Science Park HQ where the company is in the process of expanding. It has the top floor of its existing building and is now taking the ground floor as well and will move some of the administrative and financial staff currently based in Newmarket to HQ.While the company admits to the normal degree of teething problems as newly acquired businesses have been integrated, Lab21 looks a tremendously well-rounded business and one well set to have genuine impact on healthcare, through the advent of personalised medicines.The company’s rationale is geared towards helping drug and therapeutics developers target individuals with solutions based on individual genetic make-up – the holy grail of the post-genomics era. “The prospects are so exciting,” says Mike.The future is also increasingly international. Lab21 already receives samples from around the globe – from Europe and the Middle East, for example. The company has just clinched its first major contract in China, to deal with that country’s rising epidemic of syphilis, and this has provided Lab21 with a foot in the door of the world’s fastest-growing healthcare market and economy.South Carolina today. What price China tomorrow?Mike says Lab21 will keep all its options open. “Clearly our expertise is taking us into new marketplaces and over time it is not unreasonable to assume that we could set up operations in other regions.“The beauty is that we can move at our own pace: we’re under no pressure to snatch at an IPO and are confident we can continue to raise sufficient funding by staying private – in fact we are currently refinancing to fund our next acquisition. We will keep an eye on the marketplace, of course, but global organic growth is the immediate focus.”
Professor Sir Chris Evans’ Lab21 to support new US cancer institute with molecular diagnostic and clinical trial services

Cambridge, UK, October 19th - Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine is pleased to announce an agreement with the newly-launched Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR) in Greenville, South Carolina to provide molecular diagnostic support services for new initiatives in drug development and advanced cancer patient care.
The new Institute, a part of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) is moving into the arena of personalised gene-targeted cancer therapies and focusing on bringing translational research from the lab to practical application in patients.
Lab21, a leading provider of personalised medicine services in Europe, recently launched its first venture in North America situating a new clinical reference laboratory and US Headquarters in Greenville.
Lab21 focuses on the global provision of molecular testing services particularly in the oncology and antiviral areas for both patient management and clinical trials. In addition, it has a diagnostics products business and is building a pipeline of proprietary pharmacogenetic and biomarker products which it plans to launch globally from 2011 onwards.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO at Lab21 commented: ‘The close relationship with ITOR will be an enormous asset for Lab21. Not only will it allow us to provide state-of-the-art support for ITOR clinical studies but it will give us first-hand daily interaction with cancer physicians which will stimulate early identification and development of new biomarker panels.’
Graham Mullis, Lab21 CEO added ‘The potential relationship with ITOR and GHS was one of the leading reasons why we decided to site our US operation within South Carolina. We have been hugely impressed by the skills and dedication of the ITOR team but, equally importantly, we were delighted that we both shared a vision on the future of stratified medicine and could all see the benefits of our relationship towards the optimised treatment of cancer patients and introduction of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.’
Dr Joe Stephenson, ITOR Medical Director, commented ‘Having Lab21 situated on our doorstep is a significant advantage for ITOR giving us immediate access to a growing portfolio of diagnostic services. Also, the shared vision of the partners will allow us to significantly influence the types of diagnostic panels that Lab21 introduces and develops, enabling us to provide the highest standards of care for our cancer patients.’
Professor Sir Chris Evans’ Lab21 announces its first 510(k) approval and further expansion of new products

Cambridge, UK, September 16 - Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine and infectious disease test manufacture is pleased to announce new developments in its Products Division. The new developments include its first FDA approval for the US market, the introduction of a new infectious disease screening diagnostic assay and further expansion of sales into new territories,
Lab21 has expanded the availability of its market leading blood bank screening range of diagnostic assays, having recently secured 510(k) clearance in the US for its Syphilis Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA) Assay, which is formatted to run on the Beckman Coulter PK7200 platform. This is the first of a number of FDA approvals that will be sought as it expands its distribution presence in the world’s largest diagnostic market.
The company also announces today that it has just launched a new CE marked cytomegalovirus Haemagglutination (CMV HA) assay, which has been formatted to run on both the Beckman Coulter PK7200 and 7300 platforms where the liquid stable reagents provide a significant ease of use advantage.
Lab21 has also recently expanded its global sales, into new territories in the Asia-Pacific region through the renewal and extension of a partnership with Alere.
Hayden Jeffreys, Divisional Director, Products at Lab21 commented: “Lab21 continues to grow, having achieved a number of important milestones this year. We are pleased to see a number of key centres in Europe performing validation studies for CMV HA prior to adoption as a routine service further strengthening our position as reagent provider in this market. Coupled with the expansion into new territories and products this means Lab21 is in a strong position for future growth.”
Graham Mullis, CEO of Lab21, added: “These achievements underline our commitment to supporting blood banks worldwide by providing high quality reagents. Lab21 is committed to global expansion, and we are very pleased to continue to be able to expand our operations in the US and Australia.”
Professor Sir Chris Evans’ Lab21 launches new commercial companion diagnostic service for HIV tropism in UK

Cambridge, UK, August 31 - Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine is pleased to announce the addition of a new diagnostic test for HIV to its portfolio of companion diagnostic services.
Lab21 will be the first commercial reference laboratory in the UK to provide a companion diagnostic service for the HIV drug, Celsentri, which is marketed by ViiV Healthcare who are currently supporting the provision of this genotypic tropism testing to the UK NHS.
Lab21 will offer the HIV service from its UK operation with immediate effect and will be able to receive samples from all parts of the world. In the longer term the company also plans to offer the test as part of its comprehensive HIV service at its US facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
The HIV diagnostic is a genotypic test which determines the sequence of a specific region of the virus, the V3 loop. This information helps to determine the specific cell type the strain of HIV will infect and replicate. As individual drugs are only effective against specific strains of HIV, this allows clinicians to identify the most effective treatment, improving patient care, and reducing costs
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO of Lab21 commented: “This new technology has been developed in the HIV field over the past few years and we have now introduced the protocols into the Lab21 service labs to provide a fully validated, fast turnaround assay. The addition of this service to Lab21’s portfolio means that we can offer a fully comprehensive menu of tests for HIV clinicians to use including viral load and resistance analysis, CD4 counts and serology”.
Professor Sir Chris Evans’ ReNeuron presents new data showing how its stem cells work to repair brain damage. 12/07/10

Guildford, UK, 12 July 2010: ReNeuron Group plc (LSE: RENE.L) today announces important new data regarding the mechanisms of action of its lead CTX stem cell line in pre-clinical models of brain damage. The results of these studies will be presented in two posters1 at the UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Scientific Conference, taking place on 12 – 14 July, 2010 at the University of Nottingham, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, UK. In one series of studies, the angiogenic potential of the CTX stem cell line was tested, both in vitro and in rodent models of stroke damage. Angiogenesis is a multiple-step process whereby new blood vessels develop from pre-existing vasculature, potentially contributing to the functional recovery of the brain from damage such as that caused by ischaemic stroke. The results of these studies showed that the CTX cells express several trophic and pro-angiogenic factors in culture and also induce endothelial cell markers associated with blood vessel formation in the host at both 72 hours and 7 days post-implantation of the cells into the brain. Taken together, these results suggest that the CTX cells may play a role in promoting the functional recovery of stroke patients through up-regulation of angiogenesis in the region of ischaemic brain damage. In a series of further studies, the CTX cells were seen to inhibit T cell activation. This immunosuppressive activity was in part attributed to the up-regulation of the ligand CD274, a regulator of T cell function. T cells are a type of white blood cell associated with the mediation of immune responses in the body. These results suggest that the CTX cells may act to suppress the inflammatory response associated with brain damage, thereby aiding the natural healing processes in the brain. This anti-inflammatory characteristic opens up a number of exciting new potential applications for the CTX cell line as a cell-based therapy for certain inflammatory diseases both within and beyond the brain. ReNeuron recently announced the commencement of a UK Phase I clinical trial of its lead ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. The ReN001 therapy represents the initial therapeutic application of the Company’s CTX stem cell line. Due in part to the anti-inflammatory properties of the CTX cells, patients in this clinical trial will not require immunosuppressive drug treatments alongside their cell therapy. Further information concerning the conference can be found at: www.uknscn.org/meetings/meetings10.html.John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said:“We are excited by the results of these new pre-clinical studies. They build on previously presented research findings regarding the way in which our CTX cell line may effect repair in the brain, and suggest that a number of repair mechanisms may be at work, post-implantation of the cells. These latest findings further illustrate and potentially explain the potency of the CTX cells in assisting the body’s own repair mechanisms in vascular conditions such as stroke and peripheral arterial disease, and suggest the potential utility of the cells to treat a much wider range of inflammatory diseases.”1. Human neural stem cells promote angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo following intracerebral implantation Hicks C, Stevenato L, Richardson S, Stroemer P, Corteling R, Miljan E, Sinden J. Involvement of CD274 in neural stem cell line mediated suppression of T cell activation Corteling R, Stevenato L, Hicks C, Miljan E, Sinden J.