NEXL Company Press Release
Nexell Therapeutics Receives U.S. Patent for In Vitro Expansion of Stem Cells Into Key Immune System Cells
Adds to IP Estate Covering Neutrophil and Megakaryocyte Precursors
IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 16, 2000--Nexell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:NEXL - news), one of the world's leading suppliers of therapeutic and diagnostic products based on stem cell technology, announced today that the company has received a patent (No. 6,037,174) from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering in vitro growth of neutrophil and megakaryocyte precursors in serum-free media.
Neutrophils and megakaryocytes are specialized white blood cells that, respectively, enable the immune system to fight bacterial infection and produce platelets to support blood clotting. The Nexell patent allows claims on both the method of generating the immediate cellular precursors to these cells from CD34+ (or hematopoietic) stem cells, selected from either bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood, and the resulting serum-free suspensions of cells themselves, which consist of various proportions of neutrophil precursors and megakaryocyte precursors. The significance of the use of serum-free culture medium is that the suspensions of cells produced are essentially free of animal proteins.
``We now have a very broad intellectual property estate covering the generation and therapeutic use of several important human blood cell types,' said L. William McIntosh, President and COO of Nexell Therapeutics. ``The ability to produce such specialized cells from hematopoietic stem cells is critical to our goal of extending the potential of cell selection beyond adjunctive use following high dose chemotherapy to front-line therapy. It also demonstrates the great promise and versatility of the adult hematopoietic stem cell for producing novel treatments for blood or immune disorders.'
As previously reported, the family of Nexell cell progenitor patents includes the use of neutrophil precursors in the treatment of neutropenia, a condition associated with chemotherapy in which the number of circulating neutrophils drops below the level necessary to fight infection. Current therapy for neutropenia focuses on increasing the patient's internal (in vivo) production of neutrophils, either through the use of growth factors such as G-CSF or treatment interruption, reduction or cessation. However, both approaches require at least seven to ten days for neutrophil recovery and even longer for platelet recovery, because the patient's blood forming system takes time to generate mature cells from stem cells. Initial research involving the infusion of neutrophil precursors, which mature into infection-fighting neutrophils much more quickly, suggests that the neutropenic period can be greatly reduced or even eliminated. It is also hoped that a similar potential exists for the use of megakaryocyte precursors to enhance platelet recovery.
``In essence, in vitro cell culture methods such as this will allow us to speed up, enhance, or expand the body's own defenses,' said Dennis Van Epps, PhD, Vice President of Research at Nexell Therapeutics. ``We now have a useful technological platform for better arming cells to do their jobs. As medicine's understanding of the cellular response to various diseases improves, we will have a growing number of specific weapons, in the form of cytokines or activation agents, with which to make cell-based therapeutic agents even more effective.'
Nexell Therapeutics Inc.
Located in Irvine, California, Nexell Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:NEXL - news) is a cell therapy company whose mission is to put the healing power of the cell into the hands of physicians. Nexell is developing and marketing innovative ex vivo cell therapies and in vitro diagnostics for cancer, autoimmune, metabolic and genetic diseases. Nexell's lead product, the Isolex© 300i Magnetic Cell Selection System, is the only FDA approved device commercially available for the selection of hematopoietic stem cells and the removal of tumor cells from autologous peripheral blood as a component of aggressive cancer treatment. In addition, Nexell markets the Cytonex(TM) ICC Staining Kit and an extensive line of cell therapy preparation, storage and expansion products including the Cryocyte(TM), SteriCell© and Lifecell© brands.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a ``safe harbor' for certain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Among the factors which could affect the Company's actual results and could cause results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements contained herein are: the timely commencement and success of the Company's clinical trials and other research endeavors, delays in receiving FDA or other regulatory approvals, the development of competing therapies and/or technologies, the terms of any future strategic alliances, the possible need for additional capital, and any additional factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.
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Contact:
Nexell Therapeutics Inc., Irvine
Tad Heitmann, 949/470-6516
www.nexellinc.com |
