Bayer's Parkinson's Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Phase I Study
Bayer and BlueRock Therapeutics have shared promising results from their Phase I study of Bemdaneprocel, a cell therapy for Parkinson's disease. The treatment showed clear trends after three years of clinical trials, with no reported complications and transplanted cells surviving in the brain.
Bemdaneprocel aims to replace damaged dopamine-producing nerve cells, unlike current therapies that merely alleviate symptoms. In the high-dose group, patients experienced an additional hour of symptom-free time daily and saw a reduction in untreated symptom periods, as recorded in Parkinson's diaries. Motor skills improved by an average of 17.9 points, and daily functioning enhanced, as measured by the MDS-UPDRS score.
The Phase I study reported no therapy- or surgery-related complications. Transplanted cells continued to survive and integrate in the brain even after immunosuppression was stopped. Claire Henchcliffe of UC Irvine School of Medicine praised the results as an important step in safety evaluation but cautioned against hasty interpretation of trends. The next step is a Phase III study to confirm these effects in a larger patient population.
Bayer, which has received Fast-Track and RMAT status in the USA for Bemdaneprocel, is optimistic about the therapy's potential. BlueRock Therapeutics, a Bayer subsidiary specializing in cell therapies, developed Bemdaneprocel using neurons derived from embryonic stem cells. While the success of this project remains to be seen due to its long development cycle, the clear trends in the Phase I study data provide a solid foundation for the next development step.
Read also:
- Crisis in a neighboring nation: immediate cheese withdrawal at Rewe & Co, resulting in two fatalities.
- United Kingdom Christians Voice Opposition to Assisted Dying Legislation
- Democrats are subtly dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Here's the breakdown
- Antisebum skincare products (cream, cleanser, and moisturizer) advocating for self-acceptance and skin confidence.
