LCT) (PINKSHEETS: LVCLY) today reported that
patients in the DiabeCell® phase I/IIa diabetes clinical trial had
porcine insulin in their blood samples providing additional scientific
confirmation that implants of DiabeCell® actively produce insulin and
directly contribute to clinical benefit.
Professor Bob Elliott, LCT Medical Director, said, "The early clinical
response in the first two patients showed that following DiabeCell®
treatment they were able to control their diabetes with reduced insulin
dose. By detecting porcine insulin in blood samples, we have demonstrated
with certainty that the reduced insulin requirement is due to the implanted
cells."
"Porcine insulin was present in the circulation of the first patient at 11
months follow up and in the second patient 6 months after receiving the
implant. In the second patient it was detected after she stopped insulin
injections clearly demonstrating the effect of the implants," continued
Professor Elliott.
Dr Paul Tan, LCT Chief Executive Officer, said, "This recent information is
consistent with LCT's published research which demonstrated presence of
porcine insulin in a patient 10 years after a similar implant. This has now
been validated again after 11 months without use of immunosuppressive drugs
in the current trial and at the lowest dose of DiabeCell®. The long term
functioning of the encapsulated cells is important and we expect LCT's
current encapsulation technology to keep the cells alive and functioning
long term."
"The preliminary data from this world-first diabetes clinical trial of
encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells gives us increasing confidence
as we advance DiabeCell® to larger scale trials with higher doses,"
continued Dr Tan. LCT announced earlier this month that it would be
expanding the Russian trial.
This preliminary data from the first two patients will be followed by
results from the other patients in the trial. All 5 patients who have
received transplants are participating in the follow-up programme. All
remain well and without complication. The first two have received their
second implant while the other three are to be scheduled for their second
implants.
Professor Bob Elliott is travelling to Russia in July to review all
patients with their personal physicians and to collate clinical data. LCT
expects to be able to provide a complete trial update in late July.
DiabeCell®, encapsulated porcine insulin producing cells, is the
Company's lead product. It is currently undergoing phase I//IIa clinical
trials for insulin dependent type 1 diabetes.
About Living Cell Technologies: www.lctglobal.com
Living Cell is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening
human diseases. The Company owns a biocertified pig herd that it uses as a
source of cells for treating diabetes and neurological disorders. For
patients with Type 1 diabetes, the Company transplants microencapsulated
islet cells so that near-normal blood glucose levels may be achieved
without the need for administration of insulin or at significantly reduced
levels. The company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in
2007. For the treatment of Huntington's disease and other neurological
disorders, the company transplants microencapsulated choroid plexus cells
that deliver beneficial proteins and neurotrophic factors to the brain.
Living Cell's technology enables healthy living cells to be injected into
patients to replace or repair damaged tissue without requiring the use of
immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. Living Cell also offers
medical-grade porcine-derived products for the repair and replacement of
damaged tissues, as well as for research and other purposes.
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