ReNeuron to pursue stem cell drug trial in Dundee

Stem cells have the potential to develop into other types of cell in the human body, giving doctors the hope they can be used to treat a range of diseases.

ReNeuron will inject stem cells into nine patients with “critical limb ischaemia” (CLI) to see if they can help restore the flow of blood to their legs.

At present, about half of patients with the disease – which is sometimes a result of diabetes – are left with no option but to have their legs amputated.

The company estimates that there are four million people in Europe and the United States with CLI, which present a “potential multi-billion dollar market opportunity globally”.

ReNeuron is already carrying out a clinical trial with stem cells for stroke patients at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital.

Under the latest deal, the Guildford-based firm will work with Jill Belch, professor of vascular medicine at Dundee University and research and development director at NHS Tayside.

Michael Hunt, chief executive at ReNeuron, said: “We are delighted to be working with Professor Jill Belch on this new clinical trial, a well-respected key opinion leader and highly-experienced clinician in the limb ischaemia field.”

A spokesman for Dundee University said one part-time nursing post would be created as the result of the deal, while two further jobs would be secured.

Patients are expected to be recruited by the summer, with the trial starting in the middle of the year. ReNeuron said it expected that the first phase of the trial would be “straightforward” and that a larger phase two study – which would measure the effectiveness of the treatment – could begin during the second half of next year.

Scott Johnstone, chief executive of the Scottish Lifesciences Association (SLA), said: “This is excellent news. The fact that ReNeuron has already done one trial and wants to do another one shows that Scotland is the place to do stem cell trials.

“The SLA’s cell therapy special interest group is looking at how can we capitalise on the work that ReNeuron has done and is doing and make it easier to carry out clinical trials in Scotland.

“That means working with the NHS on how to attract more clinical trials in general and regenerative medicine or stem cell trials in particular.”

It takes an average of 16 days to gain approval for a clinical trial in Scotland, compared with some 50 days in England.

News of the approval for ReNeuron’s clinical trial comes just weeks after the company was awarded £400,000 of funding from the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB) under the Biomedical Catalyst scheme launched by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011.