First patient randomized in STEMRA trial for traumatic brain injury

Written by Lauren Pulling

SanBio, Inc. (CA, USA) have announced the randomization of the first patient in the stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury trial, a Phase II clinical trial for traumatic brain injury.

SanBio, Inc. (CA, USA) have announced the randomization of the first patient in STEMTRA, their stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury trial. The Phase II clinical trial will investigate the effects of SB623 stem cell treatment in patients with chronic motor deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

TBI, caused by car accidents, falls and battlefield injuries, among other causes, can often result in chronic motor deficits. SanBio, Inc. is now trialling SB623 cells, the company’s proprietary product, in the treatment of TBI and the associated symptoms — previous studies have indicated that these cells promote recovery by triggering the brain’s endogenous regenerative capabilities.

SB623 cells, taken from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors, are modified allogenic mesenchymal stem cells. The STEMTRA trial will assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of SB623 treatment in TBI patients across the USA and Japan. The first patient was recruited from Emory University Hospital (Atlantla, GA, USA), and the research team hope to recruit approximately 52 participants in total.

Damien Bates, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research at SanBio, Inc., commented: “This modified stem cell treatment has improved outcomes in patients with persistent limb weakness secondary to ischemic stroke–and our preclinical data suggest it may also help TBI patients. For people suffering from the often debilitating effects of TBI, this milestone brings us one step closer to proving whether it’s an effective treatment option.”

Find out more about the STEMTRA trial here.

Source: www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160711005856/en/Patient-Randomized-STEMTRA-Trial-Traumatic-Brain-Injury