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Mesoblast Wins 2020 Fierce Biotech Innovation of the Year Award for remestemcel-LNEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesoblast Limited (Nasdaq:MESO; ASX:MSB), global leader in allogeneic cellular medicines for inflammatory diseases, today announced that its lead product candidate remestemcel-L has been selected as the winner of the Fierce Innovation Awards - Life Sciences Edition 2020 for Biotech Innovation. The Fierce Innovation Awards is a peer-reviewed program from the publisher of FierceBiotech and FiercePharma. Mesoblast Chief Executive Dr Silviu Itescu stated: “This important award is recognition of Mesoblast’s leadership as an innovator in the cell therapy industry, and of the potential for remestemcel-L to profoundly impact the lives of children suffering with steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR-aGVHD).” Remestemcel-L is under priority review by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pediatric SR-aGVHD and, if approved, product launch in the United States is expected in 2020. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of September 30, 2020. Remestemcel-L is an investigational therapy comprising culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow of an unrelated donor. It is thought to have immunomodulatory properties to counteract the cytokine storms that are implicated in various inflammatory conditions by down-regulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and enabling recruitment of naturally occurring anti-inflammatory cells to involved tissues. Given the extensive inflammatory response in COVID-19 infection, remestemcel-L is also being evaluated in a randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial in up to 300 ventilator-dependent adults with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the primary cause of mortality in COVID-19 patients. The trial aims to confirm results from a pilot study at New York’s Mt Sinai hospital which showed that nine of 12 patients (75%) were successfully discharged from hospital a median of 10 days after receiving two intravenous doses of remestemcel-L within five days. The trial’s independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recently completed an interim analysis of the trial’s first 30% enrolled patients and recommended that the trial should continue as planned after reviewing all safety data and results for the trial’s primary endpoint of all-cause mortality within 30 days of randomization. The DSMB will perform a second interim analysis when 45% of the enrollment target has completed 30 days of follow-up. About Mesoblast Mesoblast’s Biologics License Application to seek approval of its product candidate RYONCIL™ (remestemcel-L) for pediatric steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease has been accepted for priority review by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and if approved, product launch in the United States is expected in 2020. Remestemcel-L is also being developed for other inflammatory diseases in children and adults including moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mesoblast is completing Phase 3 trials for its product candidates for advanced heart failure and chronic low back pain. Two products have been commercialized in Japan and Europe by Mesoblast’s licensees, and the Company has established commercial partnerships in Europe and China for certain Phase 3 assets. Mesoblast has locations in Australia, the United States and Singapore and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (MSB) and on the Nasdaq (MESO). For more information, please see www.mesoblast.com, LinkedIn: Mesoblast Limited and Twitter: @Mesoblast Forward-Looking Statements Release authorized by the Chief Executive. For further information, please contact:
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