Regenerative Medicine

TxCell embraces the CAR

Country
France

TxCell SA expects to start a clinical trial in late 2018 of a regulatory T cell product that has been engineered to contain a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The French company’s therapeutic focus is severe inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as organ transplant rejection.

Chimeric organs described

Country
United States

Scientists at the Salk Institute in California, US have described a series of experiments in which they were able to integrate stem cells from one species into the early-stage development of another. The research was published in the 26 January 2017 edition of Cell, and raises hopes for transplantation.

Letter from the Editor: Innovation in the New Year

Country
Belgium

(The following editorial appears in the January 2017 edition of MedNous) Yes, there are plenty of geopolitical risks going into 2017, but the biopharma industry is entering the New Year with plenty of cash and good prospects for innovation. In this issue we look at some recent developments.

Remission reported for aggressive brain tumours

Country
United States

A 50-year old patient with recurrent cancer involving tumours in both the brain and spinal cord has been treated with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting an antigen that is overexpressed in a majority of glioblastomas.

TiGenix raises $35.65 million in US IPO

Country
Belgium

The cell-therapy company TiGenix NV has raised gross proceeds of $35.65 million in an initial public offering of its shares on the Nasdaq exchange in the US in order to support the clinical development of its allogeneic product portfolio.

Patient with mutant KRAS successfully treated

Country
United States

A patient with KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer has been successfully treated with an autologous T cell receptor therapy, suggesting there may be a path forward for tackling difficult solid tumours, according to Kite Pharma Inc.

FDA approves tissue-engineered product

Country
United States

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Maci, an autologous tissue-engineered product for the repair of cartilage defects in the knee, the first product of its kind to be authorised for the US. Maci is manufactured by Vericel Corp, formerly Aastrom Biosciences Inc.

ReNeuron reports positive data from stroke trial

Country
United Kingdom

ReNeuron Plc has reported positive data from a Phase 2 trial of its allogeneic cell therapy for patients disabled by a stroke and plans to apply to regulatory authorities in the US and Europe to begin a pivotal study that could lead to possible registration.

TiGenix plans US initial public offering

Country
Belgium

The cell-therapy company TiGenix NV has announced plans to make an initial public offering of its shares on the Nasdaq exchange in the US in order to raise money for the clinical development of its portfolio. The company is already listed on Euronext Brussels.

Spark Therapeutics in-licenses antibody targeted technology

Country
United States

Spark Therapeutics Inc has agreed to make a $10 million cash payment plus an equity investment in Selecta Biosciences Inc for access to a nanoparticle technology that could be used to modulate the immune system and allow repeat dosing of a gene therapy.