Mesoblast Intervertebral Disc Repair Phase II Trial Update ($MSB)

Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB; OTC ADR: MBLTY) is the world’s leading developer of innovative biological products for the broad field of regenerative medicine.  Mesoblast’s commercial strategy is based on its unique proprietary adult mesenchymal precursor cells.  The company’s lead products will target cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, inflammatory conditions of lungs and joints, eye diseases, bone marrow cancers, bone fractures, cartilage degeneration and musculoskeletal conditions. Mesoblast and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. have established a strategic alliance to commercialize adult stem cell products for degenerative conditions of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The alliance also extends to products for augmenting bone marrow transplantation in cancer patients.

Mesoblast announced that its Phase 2 clinical trial of allogeneic (off-the-shelf) Mesenchymal Precursor Cells has now enrolled 50% of the total study patients.  This trial will investigate non-surgical treatment of lower back pain due to degenerated intervertebral discs.  The rapid enrollment of this study indicated the Phase 2 trail will reach full capcity for its study by the third quarter.  The pace in which this study has enrolled participants bespeaks of the great need back patients have for non-surgical treatments.   

The Company commented,

"Up to 15 per cent of people in industrialized countries have chronic low back pain lasting more than six months. For those with progressive, severe and debilitating pain due to degenerating intervertebral discs, the only current option is major back surgery involving spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement, or other surgical procedures. Avoidance of surgery and its complications is a major objective of any new treatment for degenerative disease of the spine."

Mesoblast published the results of its previous successful study in the March 2012 issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery. 

Read the full press release here.