Australia biotech firm, Mesoblast, has successfully concluded phase 2 trial of infusion of its cell therapy candidate, MPC-300-IV, in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
The trial showed that a single infusion of the allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) product candidate was safe, reduced damaging inflammation, and preserved or improved renal function over at least 24 weeks.
The trial's lead investigator, Associate Professor David Packham, department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, and Director of the Melbourne Renal Research Group, stated that, "The results show that Mesoblast's allogeneic cell therapy was safe and may be particularly useful in patients with moderate to severe diabetic nephropathy, a disease which, despite all existing therapies, continues to have a high rate of progression to dialysis or transplantation, and to portend a high risk of death from cardiovascular disease."
Mesoblast's bone marrow-derived MPCs are potent modulators of monocyte inflammation, and have been shown in preclinical studies to reduce monocyte infiltration in diabetic kidneys and to reverse endothelial dysfunction. Consequently, Mesoblast is developing MPC-300-IV for intravenous delivery in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
