BioTransplant Reports Advances In Xenotransplantation
Friday June 6, 9:00 am ET
[We already knew that. But it is nice to see that Immerge might still represent some value to BioTransplant. I have been afraid, that when the current agreement period ends in December, BioTransplant will not be able to carry on with this partnership. The chance that Novartis will continue to offer BTRN a free ride should be rather slim).
MEDFORD, Mass., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BioTransplant, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BTRNQ.OB - News) today announced that scientists from Immerge BioTherapeutics, the Company's joint venture with Novartis Pharma AG, have recently reported results from two studies highlighting advances in xenotransplantation. In one study, Immerge researchers have reversed insulin dependency in diabetic non-human primates through the transplantation of porcine islet cells. In another study, scientists identified the receptors for Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus (PERV), a virus that has shown the ability to infect some human cells in vitro.
"These promising studies reflect the significant achievements Immerge has made in the field of xenotransplantation research," stated Donald B. Hawthorne, President and Chief Executive Officer of BioTransplant. "The diabetic primate data underscore the potential applications for xenotransplantation, and the identification of PERV receptors is an important step forward in our efforts to develop xenotransplantation as a safe therapeutic option for humans."
At the American Transplant Congress 2003 meeting, researchers from Immerge BioTherapeutics, the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation, and the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota presented data showing reversal of diabetes in monkeys for more than 70 days after transplantation with porcine islet cells. In this study, diabetic cynomolgus monkeys were transplanted with islets purified from the pancreas of adult pigs or miniature swine. The subjects were then treated with an immunosuppressive cocktail, including induction and maintenance therapy. All animals became insulin independent and reached normal glucose levels in the period after transplantation. A number of animals were insulin-free for up to 70 days after transplantation. None of the animals showed evidence of antibody-mediated rejection.
Immerge also announced the identification of the key molecule responsible for Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus (PERV) Infection in the May 27, 2003 edition of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Immerge scientists, together with the academic groups of Professors Robin Weiss, University College, London, and Daniel Salomon, The Scripps Research Institute have identified the receptors that are used by PERV in order to enter and infect a cell. This study may allow scientists to begin to develop a strategy to prevent PERV replication.
About Immerge BioTherapeutics
Immerge BioTherapeutics was formed on September 26, 2000 as a joint venture between Novartis Pharma AG and BioTransplant focused on developing therapeutic applications for xenotransplantation. Both Novartis and BioTransplant have contributed all of their propriety technology in xenotransplantation to the joint venture. |
