August 9, 2016 2:35am
Experimental stem-cell treatment led to significant improvements of symptoms and disease activity in patients whose RA according to data from a mid-stage trial. MESO is UP in the aftermarket +$0.71 or +16.59%
Treatment with mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) product, MPC-300-IV, was deemed well tolerated with no serious side effects or infusion-related adverse events in the 48-patient, 12-week P2 study.
The safety and efficacy results of this trial provide support for the potential of Mesoblast's allogeneic MPCs to be positioned as first-line treatment option in RA patients who have previously received a prior anti-TNF or other biologic agent
The Bottom Line: Among patients previously treated with at least one biologic drug, the common measure of 20% relief of signs and symptoms of the arthritis, known as ACR20, was achieved by 55% of those who received an infusion of 2 million cells per kilogram of weight. That compared with 33% in the placebo group who achieved ACR20.
The higher bar of ACR70, or 70% improvement, was achieved by 36% after one infusion of the Mesoblast treatment, compared with no patients in the placebo group who reported such an improvement.
MESO plans to line up a partner to help it move the treatment into larger P3 trials.
MESO closed at $4.28 which was down -$0.03 and is UP in the aftermarket +$0.71 or +16.59% - BUY
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, often painful autoimmune disease affecting about 1% of the global population. It causes inflammation and potentially destruction of multiple joints.
