Stem Cell Research for Interstitial Cystitis Progresses

Stem Cell Therapeutics Announces Completion of Dosing in Phase I Study of TTI-1612 in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

TORONTO, ONTARIO– (Marketwired – May 16, 2013) – Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related technologies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Trillium Therapeutics has completed dosing in its Phase I study of TTI-1612 in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). The study was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of TTI-1612 in IC/BPS patients. Pharmacokinetics and changes in disease symptoms were also evaluated. A total of 28 patients were enrolled at four urology clinics in Southern Ontario. Preliminary data indicate that the drug is well tolerated and exhibits a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Full results are expected to be published at a later date.

IC/BPS, also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome, is a chronic, debilitating and poorly treated bladder disease affecting millions of people. The disease is believed to develop as a result of dysfunction in the protective epithelial layer lining the bladder. TTI-1612, a locally-delivered recombinant growth factor, is being developed to correct the dysfunction and restore the bladder epithelium to a normal, healthy state.

This urology program, acquired by Stem Cell Therapeutics through its recent merger with Trillium Therapeutics, targets an indication of high unmet need and represents a substantial market opportunity. However, with its current focus on oncology and cancer stem cells, the Company will now actively seek a development partner to conduct the next phase of the clinical development program.

“Completing dosing in this clinical study in a timely manner is a significant early milestone in the development of TTI-1612,” commented Dr. Bob Uger, the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We are encouraged by our clinical experience to date with this drug, and believe we are setting the groundwork for a partner to move this program forward into Phase II testing.”

About Stem Cell Therapeutics:

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SCT), a Toronto-based biopharmaceutical company, is Canada’s only public company dedicated to advancing cancer stem cell discoveries into novel and innovative cancer therapies. Building on over half a century of leading and groundbreaking Canadian stem cell research, the company is supported by established links to multiple Toronto academic institutes and oncology treatment centers that represent one of the world’s most acclaimed cancer research hubs. SCT’s lead clinical program, which targets a metabolic pathway in leukemia blasts and leukemic stem cells, is currently being evaluated in a multi-centre Phase I study in patients with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The Company also has two premier preclinical programs, SIRPaFc and a CD200 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which target two key immunoregulatory pathways that tumor cells exploit to evade the host immune system. SIRPaFc is an antibody-like fusion protein that blocks the activity of CD47, a molecule that is upregulated on cancer stem cells in AML and several other tumors. The CD200 mAb is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of CD200, an immunosuppressive molecule that is overexpressed by many hematopoietic and solid tumors. For more information, visit: www.stemcellthera.com

By Jill Osborne|2017-01-18T12:08:22-08:00May 16th, 2013|Our Blog, Research|Comments Off

About the Author: Jill Osborne

My Google Profile+ Jill Heidi Osborne is the president and founder of the Interstitial Cystitis Network, a health education company dedicated to interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome and other pelvic pain disorders. As the editor and lead author of the ICN and the IC Optimist magazine, Jill is proud of the academic recognition that her website has achieved. The University of London rated the ICN as the top IC website for accuracy, credibility, readability and quality. (Int Urogynecol J - April 2013). Harvard Medical School rated both Medscape and the ICN as the top two websites dedicated to IC. (Urology - Sept 11). For many years, Jill served on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Panel (US Army) where she collaborated with researchers to evaluate new IC research studies for possible funding. Jill has conducted and/or collaborates on a variety of IC research studies on new therapeutics, pain care, sexuality, the use of medical marijuana, menopause and the cost of treatments, shining a light on issues that influence patient quality of life. An IC support group leader and national spokesperson for the past 20 years, she has represented the IC community on radio, TV shows, at medical conferences. She has written hundreds of articles on IC and its related conditions. Jill has a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacology and a Masters in Psychology, Jill was named Presidential Management Intern (aka Fellowship) while in graduate school. (She was unable to earn her PhD due to the onset of her IC.) She spends the majority of her time providing WELLNESS COACHING for patients in need and developing new, internet based educational and support tools for IC patients, including new live IC Support Group Meetings via Youtube and the “Living with IC” video series. Jill was diagnosed with IC at the age of 32 but first showed symptoms at the age of 12.