PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medgenics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:MDGN), today announced the initiation of a research program to evaluate the use of TARGTEPOTM alone or in combination with iron restriction to ameliorate erythropoiesis in Beta Thalassemia Intermedia (non-transfusion dependent thalassemia or NTDT) and Beta Thalassemia Major (transfusion dependent thalassemia or TDT). Dr. Stefano Rivella, Professor of Pediatrics and Ohene-Frempong Chair on Sickle Cell Anemia at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, will lead the research program.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Rivella and his team to assess the capabilities of the Medgenics TARGTEPO platform in this predictive preclinical model of beta thalassemia,” commented Garry Neil, Chief Scientific Officer of Medgenics. “The results of this work should be highly informative as we advance this program toward the clinic.”
Previous observations have demonstrated that there is an intimate correlation between iron metabolism, organ and serum iron levels and erythropoiesis. It has been further demonstrated that iron restriction can improve erythropoiesis. The intent of the research program will be to demonstrate the ability of TARGTEPO to improve anemia and, concurrently, decrease iron overload. TARGTEPO will be utilized, in combination with an iron reducing approach, in a preclinical mouse model of beta-thalassemia to assess (1) improvement in anemia in NTDT, (2) reduction in the need for blood transfusions in TDT, and (3) the ability to reduce or potentially prevent or reverse iron overload in both NTDT and TDT.
About Medgenics, Inc.
Medgenics is dedicated to unlocking the potential of genomic medicine to identify and treat patients with life-altering conditions. Its efforts, including its internal research and development and ongoing sponsored research and licensing agreements with a well-respected pediatric academic medical center, give Medgenics the ability to focus on the underlying genetic pathway of pediatric diseases with the goal of finding therapeutic solutions for subpopulations of both children and adults living with rare and other difficult-to-treat diseases. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.medgenics.com.