Data Shows NTCELL Treatment Has Stopped the Progression of Parkinsons
Auckland, Oct 27, 2015 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The four patients who took part in Living Cell Technologies Limited's (
ASX:LCT) (LVCLY:OTCMKTS) Phase I/IIa clinical study of NTCELL(R) for Parkinson's disease have all reached the milestone of 42 weeks post-implant. All four patients remain well, and there are no safety concerns.
In all four patients NTCELL treatment has stopped the progression of Parkinson's disease as measured by globally accepted and validated neurological rating scales.
In all four patients the 42 week post-implant data show there is a clinically and statistically significant improvement in the patients' neurological score from their pre-implant baseline. That improvement is equivalent to approximately 5 years of Parkinson's disease remission and is maintained 74 weeks after NTCELL transplant in the first patient.
Data from the ongoing monitoring of the four patients was measured by validated neurological rating scales and questionnaires, including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) and the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39). These scales and questionnaires are used to assess improvements in patients' movement abnormalities, other physical symptoms, well-being and ability to perform everyday tasks.
Dr Ken Taylor, Chief Executive, says the continued improvement of the patients is pleasing.
"We are delighted with the continued positive outcome of the study to date. It certainly adds anticipation and motivation to the planned Phase IIb study. The Phase IIb study will confirm the effective dose of NTCELL, define any placebo component of the response and further identify the Parkinson's disease patient sub group we would initially target."
About Living Cell Technologies Limited
Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT) (OTCMKTS:LVCLY) is a New Zealand biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercialising regenerative cell treatments which restore function using naturally occurring cells.
LCT’s lead product NTCELL(R) is an alginate coated capsule containing clusters of neonatal porcine choroid plexus cells. After transplantation NTCELL functions as a biological factory producing neurotrophic factors to prevent and repair disease induced nerve degeneration.
The Phase I/IIa NTCELL clinical trial in New Zealand for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease met the primary endpoint of safety and showed encouraging clinical efficacy. A Phase IIb trial has been designed to further evaluate NTCELLs potential as a disease-modifying treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
NTCELL has the potential to be used in a number of other central nervous system degenerative diseases such as Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and motor neurone diseases.
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