Advanced Cell Technology Files IND with FDA for First Clinical Trial Using
Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Dry AMD
Dry AMD Represents $25-30 Billion Market in US and Europe Alone, with No
Effective Treatments Currently Available
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Nov 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Advanced Cell Technology,
Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB:ACTC) announced today that it has filed an Investigational New
Drug (IND) Application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate
a Phase I/II multicenter study using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived
retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to treat patients with Dry Age-Related
Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD). Dry AMD reportedly afflicts more than 30 million
people worldwide, including an estimated13-15 million Americans. Approximately
10% of people 66 to 74 years of age will have findings of macular degeneration,
and this prevalence increases to 30% in patients 75 to 85 years of age.
Dry AMD, or "central geographic atrophy," is the "dry" form of advanced
Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells
(photoreceptors) in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central
vision in the affected eye. Over time, as less of the macula functions, central
vision is gradually lost in the affected eye, often progressing to blindness. The
loss of photoreceptors is a direct result of a preceding degeneration of the RPE
layer of cells just below the retina. Dry AMD is much more common than wet AMD,
which results from aberrant blood vessel formation in the eye. Some 85-90 percent
of all people with intermediate and advanced AMD combined suffer from the dry
form. Despite representing a $25-30 Billion market opportunity, there are
currently no FDA-approved treatments for Dry AMD available.
The Phase I/II trial will be a prospective, open-label study that is designed to
determine the safety and tolerability of the RPE cells following sub-retinal
transplantation to patients with Dry AMD. A total of 12 patients will be enrolled
in the study at multiple clinical sites. The sites which are currently under
consideration are the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA; the Ophthalmology
Department at Stanford University School of Medicine; and the Edward S. Harness
Eye Institute at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons;
additional sites may be considered.
"We can generate a virtually unlimited supply of healthy RPE cells," said Robert
Lanza, MD, ACT's Chief Scientific Officer. "In our animal studies, we observed
significant improvement in visual performance over untreated animals, and did not
find any adverse effects of the injection of RPE cells. In extending our studies
to human patients, it is our hope that we will show that the injected RPE cells
will rescue photoreceptors and slow, if not stop, the progression of macular
degeneration."
On November 22, ACT announced that it had received FDA approval to begin treating
patients as part of the company's Phase I/II Clinical Trial treat Stargardt's
Disease, a form of juvenile macular degeneration. Company scientists view the use
of the same hESC derived RPE cells for both trials as the most efficacious
approach, as it permits the Company to leverage its experience with the FDA that
it gained through the process of obtaining approval for the Stargardt's clinical
trial to expedite the approval of its clinical trial in Dry AMD.
"We are seeing the beginning of new era in medical treatment," continued Dr.
Lanza. "The hope that stem cell therapies may one day repair and regenerate
diseased organs and tissue goes far beyond what can be accomplished with
traditional medicine. This approval shows an apparent readiness by the FDA to
work with researchers to move exciting new stem cell based therapies out of the
lab and into the clinic."
"Filing this IND represents the culmination of years of innovation and hard work
by ACT's scientific team," said William M. Caldwell IV, Chairman and CEO of ACT.
"With this second IND, and our plans to expand our studies in Europe, ACT is
positioning itself as a true 'translational' leader in the field of regenerative
medicine. When you are the first, the whole world's eyes are on you, and in our
case, most especially the eyes of the patients that suffer from AMD. We do not
intend to let them down. We welcome this challenge, and of course plan to scale
up our operations, as necessary, to continue to meet our milestones and help
validate this technology platform."
About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular
technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit
advancedcell.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results,
future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our
technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the
future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements
of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes,"
"plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should
also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of
important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited
operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and
commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property,
and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors
that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from
time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2009. Forward-looking statements are based on the
beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they
are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its
forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other
circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made,
and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances
should change.
SOURCE: Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
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