The new patent, entitled ‘Perivascular Mesenchymal Precursor Cell Induced Blood Vessel Formation’, provides the company with exclusive commercial rights in Europe initially through to 29 March 2024, with potential for extension based on duration of clinical development.
In the US, a Phase III trial using Mesoblast’s MPCs has been commenced in patients with New York Heart Association class II/III congestive heart failure.
In addition, Phase II trials are being conducted in Europe and the US in patients with AMI using catheterdelivered MPCs and intravenously-delivered MSCs.
Using both highly purified and immunoselected MPCs and the culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) they give rise to, the company is developing products to treat cardiac and vascular conditions.
These cell types may be effective in cardiovascular disorders by release of factors which can act on target tissues to induce blood vessel formation and enhance vascular flow, prevent heart muscle death, reduce fibrous scar tissue, and modulate key inflammatory cells, including monocytes and T cells.
Previously, Mesoblast has been granted patents EP1007631 and EP 1062321 covering the use of MSC products for treating damaged heart muscle to improve heart function.