Mesoblast (NSDQ: MESO; ASX: MSB), an Australia-based regenerative medicine company, announced plans to start trials of remestemcel-L, its allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) product candidate, in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19. The trial will be conducted in the US, Australia, China and Europe. ARDS is the principal cause of death in COVID-19 patients. In a small China trial, allogeneic MSCs cured or significantly improved all seven patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia

Mesoblast said mortality in COVID-19 infected patients with ARDS is reported to approach 50%. It is associated with older age, co-morbidities such as diabetes, higher disease severity, and elevated markers of inflammation.

In a post-hoc analyses of a 60-patient randomized controlled study in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), remestemcel-L infusions were well tolerated. The infusions also significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers and improved pulmonary function. The company pointed out that the same inflammatory biomarkers are also elevated in COVID-19. The COPD study results have been submitted for presentation at an international conference, with full results to be submitted for publication shortly.

Remestemcel-L is being studied in numerous clinical trials involving several inflammatory conditions, including elderly patients with lung disease and adults and children with steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). Remestemcel-L is currently under review by the US FDA for approval to treat children with steroid-refractory aGVHD.

Remestemcel-L is an investigational therapy comprising culture-expanded MSCs derived from the bone marrow of an unrelated donor and is administered in a series of intravenous infusions. It is thought to work by down-regulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and recruiting naturally occurring anti-inflammatory cells to involved tissues.

Mesoblast has leveraged its proprietary mesenchymal lineage cell therapy technology platform to establish a portfolio of commercial products and late-stage product candidates. Its proprietary manufacturing processes yield industrial-scale, cryopreserved, off-the-shelf, cellular medicines. These cell therapies, with defined pharmaceutical release criteria, are expected to be readily available to patients worldwide.

Mesoblast has locations in Australia, the United States and Singapore.

Disclosure: none.