ReNeuron shares spike 9 per cent on latest stroke data

Shares in ReNeuron (LON:RENE) opened 9 per cent higher after the group unveiled encouraging pre-clinical data on the use of neural stem cells in stroke.

The newly published results, compiled by researchers at Kings College, London, reveal a marked improvement in the behaviour of rats treated with of stem cells.

The team led by Dr Mike Modo, also recorded up to 83 per cent recovery in sensorimotor function for those rodents receiving the stem cell treatment where damage was confined to the striatal region of the brain.

Implantation of the CTX cells also restored collagen IV expression to almost control levels.

This indicates the restoration of damaged blood vessels and the formation of new blood vessels in the damaged striatal region of the brain, via the process of angiogenesis.

Dr John Sinden, the company’s chief scientific officer, said: "We are delighted to see the results of this important and confirmatory pre-clinical efficacy study with ReNeuron's CTX stem cell line accepted for publication. 

“The degree of recovery of motor function seen in this study is striking. 

“The results build on earlier published data using the CTX cell line in models of stroke disability and confirm the strength of ReNeuron's position in the development of cell-based treatments for eligible stroke patients disabled by ischaemic stroke, a patient population who currently have no treatments available to them.”

ReNeuron's ReN001 stem cell therapy is currently being used to treat disabled stroke patients as part of the ground-breaking PISCES Study being carried out in Scotland.

The first patient has been treated for more than 12 months with no adverse cell-related side-effects.

In all, 12 stroke sufferers will be given varying doses ReN001 stem as part of this early-stage trial being carried out by the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

“The data from this study further validate the clinical approach adopted in the ongoing PISCES human clinical trial with ReNeuron’s ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled ischaemic stroke patients,” said Vadim Alexandre, of the company’s broker Daniel Stewart.

“The study also demonstrates that the size and location of the stroke lesion is an important determinant of the degree of functional recovery seen, as is the site of implantation of the cells.”

The ReN001 therapy is based around ReNeuron’s lead neural stem cell line, designated CTX by virtue of its origin from the cortex region of the brain.

The firm’s other stem cell therapies include ReN009, targeted at peripheral arterial disease , and ReN003, its therapy programme focused on diseases of the retina.

PAD is a chronic, debilitating disease that progressively restricts blood flow in the limbs, causing cramping and chronic pain, and in rare cases it can lead to the loss of a limb.

During the past year, ReNeuron’s collaborators on its ReN009 programme at the Bristol Heart Institute have presentedpositive pre-clinical efficacy data.

It is continuing to collaborate with the Schepens Eye Research Institute at Havard Medical School on its ReN003 programme.

At 11 am the shares were trading 0.41 pence higher at 4.84 pence. Daniel Stewart values the stock at 13 pence.