Novartis secures exclusive rights for potential acute respiratory distress syndrome cell therapy - Seite 3

About remestemcel-L 
Remestemcel-L, is an investigational therapy comprising of culture-expanded mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the bone marrow of an unrelated donor.⁵ Remestemcel-L is thought to have immunomodulatory properties to counteract the cytokine storms that are implicated in various inflammatory conditions by down-regulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and enabling recruitment of naturally occurring anti-inflammatory cells to involved tissues.⁵ In the Phase III study in COVID-19-related ARDS, remestemcel-L is administered as two infusions of 2x10⁶ MSC/kg given three to four days apart.³ The administration of remestemcel-L for the treatment of all-cause ARDS could be the subject of further exploration.

About mesenchymal stromal cells   
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue and other sources that can be expanded in culture to larger quantities.⁶ In preclinical studies MSCs have been suggested to transiently accumulate in the pulmonary circulation and have potent immunomodulatory functions.⁷ They express receptors for multiple chemokine, cytokine and growth factor receptors and in inflammatory conditions secrete immunomodulatory mediators that have broad-acting effects to promote resolution of inflammation and tissue repair.⁸ MSCs have been infused into well over 1,000 patients, including young children, without serious adverse events to date, testifying to the general safety of this therapeutic approach.⁹

About acute respiratory distress syndrome 
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome that represents a final common pathway for lung injury caused by a variety of factors including bacterial and viral infection (including COVID-19).²  It is characterized by life threatening hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates without evidence of cardiac failure.¹⁰ Mortality often exceeds 40%.² Aside from appropriate ventilator and fluid management, no therapies have been shown to consistently improve survival in randomized clinical trials.^8,11