Good point. Thus far the CEGE news does not seem like it will lead to an Entremed/Geron-like hypefest, but you never know.
This is from Titan's 10K to refresh people's (primarily mine -g-)memories on TTP's Parkinson's program. Still fairly early stage but at least they have some data in primates:
CELL THERAPY PRODUCTS- PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The Company is engaged in the research and development of cell-based
therapeutics intended for use in the restorative treatment of neurologic
diseases. A majority of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's
disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy, occur when brain cells
(neurons) die. Because neurons cannot readily regenerate in response to
injury or cell death, most current pharmaceutical therapies are directed
toward amplifying the function of the remaining neurons, an approach which
becomes less effective over time as an increasing number of the neurons die.
The Company's proprietary technologies enable the development of cell-based
therapies for minimally-invasive, site specific (i.e., stereotaxic) delivery
to the central nervous system to replace or provide therapeutic factors
precisely where they are needed in order to treat the neurological disease or
disorder.
One of the Company's technologies, licensed on an exclusive worldwide
basis from New York University, involves the direct implantation into the CNS
of microscopic beads ("microcarriers"), the surfaces of which are coated with
live cells that secrete therapeutic factors useful in the treatment of
certain neurological diseases. The beads provide a matrix, or membrane-like
surface, to which cells attach and grow. The Company believes that this cell
coated microcarrier ("CCM-TM-") technology can facilitate site-specific
delivery of missing or deficient neurotransmitters, growth factors and
replacement tissue to diseased or injured areas of the brain by increasing
the survival and successful engraftment of the cells. The Company's initial
product candidate based on this technology is Spheramine-TM-, microcarriers
coated with dopamine-producing human pigmented retinal epithelial ("HPRE")
cells intended for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Studies conducted
to date have shown improvement in hemiparkinsonian primates after
implantation of Spheramine. Further preclinical studies in primates are in
progress and the Company is also seeking a corporate partner in support of
Phase I clinical trials of this product.
Complementing CCM-TM- is a technology based on Sertoli cells, which has
been licensed exclusively on a worldwide basis from the University of South
Florida. These unique cells secrete a host of growth factors important to
the repair and resprouting of damaged neurons, and thus may be useful in
restoring function in degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease,
Huntington's disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and traumatic
brain injuries. Additionally, they are capable of providing an
immunologically privileged and nurturing environment to other types of cells
of interest for transplant, and thus, analogous to CCM-TM-, may facilitate
successful engraftment of such cells.
The Company's development efforts with regard to Sertoli cell technology
are at an early stage and there are a number of issues that must be resolved
including the long-term effects of cell implantation, as well as source of
cells in light of continuing controversy regarding the use of porcine tissue
in xenotransplantation due to the possibility of IN VITRO infection of human
cells with retroviruses carried by swine. Product research and development is
being conducted through the University of South Florida and contract research
and manufacturing organizations. Initial product development efforts are
focused towards early-stage Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
The Company's cell therapy efforts are currently performed through
Theracell. Titan currently owns 99% of the outstanding stock of Theracell. |
