The study protocol involved injecting approximately 1.0 million regenerative cells isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of Rosa26 mice into recipient mice with injured myocardium. Control mice received saline injections. Engraftment was demonstrated by detection of donor cells one, seven and 14 days following injection of the regenerative cells. Donor cells were not detected in uninjured mice or in infarcts of the control animals. At 14 days after injection expression of cardiac markers Myosin Heavy Chain and Troponin I was observed on donor cells consistent with the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived regenerative cells into cardiac myocytes.
"We are encouraged by our early findings, which are the first in a series of detailed studies we expect to issue on the use of adipose-derived regenerative cells for the treatment of heart disease," said Marc H. Hedrick, M.D. Chief Scientific Officer of MacroPore. "These results are consistent with our preliminary research and with studies being performed at many other research institutes in the U.S. and abroad, which are increasingly using adipose tissue-derived cells for a variety of tissue repair applications."
MacroPore and its collaborators have shown that adipose tissue is the richest known source of regenerative cells. MacroPore believes that therapeutically useful quantities of autologous regenerative cells can be harvested in real-time using adipose tissue as a cell source. These studies are funded in part through a National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research grant awarded to Dr. Fraser to study the role of adipose-derived regenerative cells in cardiac tissue repair. The company is also conducting pre-clinical studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Other potential applications the company is exploring include bone regeneration, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and wound healing.
About MacroPore Biosurgery, Inc.
MacroPore Biosurgery (Frankfurt: XMP) (Reuters: MACP.DE) is focused on the discovery and development of regenerative medicine technologies. We are committed to improving the practice of medicine by creating innovative products that address spine and orthopedic bone repair and cardiovascular tissue repair. Our surgical implants, which represent one of the latest advancements in spine and orthopedic medicine, are manufactured by us and distributed exclusively through Medtronic Sofamor Danek. We are conducting research and development for an autologous, homologous-use, cell-based technology for the regeneration and repair of damaged tissues throughout the body. We are currently targeting the repair of cardiovascular tissues that are damaged after a myocardial infarction. For further information please visit our web site http://www.macropore.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements regarding events and trends which may affect MacroPore Biosurgery's future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause MacroPore Biosurgery's actual results and financial position to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are described (under the heading "Risk Factors") in our 2003 Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003, which is available on our web site. MacroPore Biosurgery assumes no responsibility to publicly release the results of any revision of forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.
Contact:
Tom Baker
MacroPore BiosurgeryMedia and U.S. Investors
Tel. 858-458-0900
tbaker@macropore.com
Stefanie Bacher
MacroPore Biosurgery
European Investors
Tel. 858-362-0365
sbacher@macropore.com