What are the potential therapeutic applications for Mesoblasts technology?
Currently, Mesoblast is conducting a Pilot Trial at The Royal Melbourne Hospital for the use of cultured MPCs to treat up to 10 patients suffering from non-healing, long bone defects. Mesoblast is also targeting osteoarthritis; cartilage regeneration; and degenerative disc disease. These are all very large markets with inadequate or absent therapies. Importantly in December 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) cleared Mesoblast’s Investigational New Drug Submission (IND) to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial for spinal fusion in the US . This was a major milestone for Mesoblast as clearance of the IND submission by the FDA validates the Company’s preclinical and clinical strategies for developing well-characterised, safe, and effective adult stem cell products. FDA clearance is a significant step towards commercialising Mesoblast’s stem cell products in the major US market. This Phase 2 trial will be the first ever to test allogeneic, or off-the- shelf’, adult s
