PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (Nasdaq:CBMG) ("CBMG" or the "Company"), a biomedicine firm engaged in the development of new treatments for degenerative and cancerous diseases, today announced the launch of a study on human adipose derived mesenchymal progenitor cell (haMPC) therapy for Cartilage Defects (CD) resulting from osteoarthritis (OA) or sports injury. Both arthroscopy and the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be deployed to further demonstrate the regenerative efficacy of ReJoinTM on cartilage defects.
"In light of the promising Knee Osteoarthritis Phase IIa six month follow-up results we decided to explore the efficacy of our proprietary ReJoinTM therapy on an additional orthopedic indication, Cartilage Defects (CD)," said Dr. William (Wei) Cao, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "We are thankful for the approval by the ethics committee of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital for this exploratory clinical research, and very much look forward to finding the promise of ReJoinTM therapy on CD. The repair of CD would greatly improve the quality of life for CD patients, allowing for greater mobility, flexibility and less pain."
About the Study
The clinical study is a single-blind, randomly assigned, controlled clinical research study that will enroll thirty patients with the purpose of evaluating the safety and efficacy of haMPCs combined with lavage, debridement, and/or microfracture under arthroscopy treatment for cartilage defects. In addition, this study shall serve as a supporting study of ReJoinTM for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) so as to bring additional clinical data to the protocol of future KOA trials.
The study will be conducted by Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, a leading teaching hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Professor Wang You, Director of the hospital's orthopedics department and Vice Chairperson of the Chinese Knee Society, will lead the study as Principal Investigator.
About CD in China
Currently in China KOA patients number over 57 million. The incidence of cartilage defect in routine knee arthroscopies has been reported to be almost 300,000 per year. (Source: Market analysis of Chinese arthroscopy, published on July 21, 2014 and "Advances in Orthopedics" Volume 2012, Article ID 528423) Similar to KOA, CD is an unmet orthopedic medical need.
About Cellular Biomedicine Group
Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. develops proprietary cell therapies for the treatment of certain degenerative diseases and cancers. Our developmental stem cell, progenitor cell, and immune cell projects are the result of research and development by scientists and doctors from China and the United States. Our flagship GMP facility, consisting of eight independent cell production lines, is designed, certified and managed according to U.S. standards. To learn more about CBMG, please visit: www.cellbiomedgroup.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release relating to plans, strategies, trends, specific activities or investments, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, risk factors inherent in doing business. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "plans," "intends," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although CBMG believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, they cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements will be obtained. CBMG does not have any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.