Fourteenth Patient Dosed in Neuralstem ALS Stem Cell Trial

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the second patient to receive stem cells in the cervical (upper back) region of the spine was dosed on February 29th in the ongoing Phase I trial of its spinal cord neural stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Patient 14 is also the first woman to be treated in the trial. Stem cell transplantation into the cervical region of the spinal cord could support breathing, a key function that is lost as ALS progresses. The first twelve patients in the trial received stem cell transplants in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spinal cord only. “This cohort of patients represents another first for our trial, as we transplant cells directly into the gray matter of the spinal cord in the cervical region,” said Karl Johe, PhD, Neuralstem’s Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer. “We are delighted that the surgeries are progressing in a region that could have a significant impact on the quality of life for ALS patients. With the safe transplantation of our 14th patient, we are well are on our way to demonstrating the safety of our novel procedure.” The Phase I trial to assess the safety of Neuralstem’s spinal cord neural stem cells and intraspinal transplantation method in ALS patients has been underway since January 2010. The trial is designed to enroll up to 18 patients. The first 12 patients were each transplanted in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine, beginning with non-ambulatory and advancing to ambulatory cohorts. The trial has now progressed to the final six patients. Each is in the cervical (upper back) region of the spine. The entire 18-patient trial concludes six months after the final surgery.
Via phoenix.corporate-ir.net