PR83238

HOUSTON, March 10, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

FibroGenesis(https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2745542-1&h=2022740774&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fibro-genesis.com%2F&a=FibroGenesis ),

a Texas-based regenerative medicine company focused on tissue regeneration and

chronic disease reversal using Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFs), today announced

the filing of United States Provisional Patent Number 62/986,339 titled, "Fibroblast and

TLR Activated Fibroblast Treatment of Viral Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome."

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The claims in the patent include utilization of universal donor cell therapies

for treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is one of

the major causes of Coronavirus associated deaths. The disclosure addresses

the unmet need by providing a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of ARDS

using fibroblasts as toll-like receptors which activates fibroblasts as a means

of dampening ARDS, while producing factors such as inteferons to stimulate

anti-viral immunity.

"We have known about the regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties of

fibroblasts, but our research continues to discover many other benefits of this

'super-cell,'" commented Tom Ichim, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of

FibroGenesis. "COVID-19 mortality centers around ARDS and we are finding

compelling data to potentially cure this deadly condition with fibroblasts.

We have demonstrated that our cells are capable of producing interferon.

Hypothetically, this endows our cells not only with the ability to suppress

ARDS, but also allows the cells to possess a direct anti-viral effect."

"As we continue to expand our clinical knowledge of fibroblasts, we are finding

their therapeutic benefit across a broad chronic disease platform," said Pete

O'Heeron, Chief Executive Officer, FibroGenesis. "Discovering fibroblasts can

potentially cure the leading cause of death from COVID-19, encouraging us to

expedite the clinical testing needed to validate their benefit."

About COVID-19 Induced ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a type of severe acute lung

dysfunction affecting all or most of both lungs and can be a severe

complication of viral infections including COVID-19. When afflicting older

patients with co-morbidities such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease, it can

result in a high death rate.

ARDS is a serious condition with associated high mortality that afflicts

approximately 200,000 people in the United States each year, leading to

approximately 75,000 deaths. A number of clinical trials of treatments for ARDS

have been conducted and to date none have been proved highly effective;

therefore, there is a great need for new, more effective treatments.

It is known that ARDS is often associated with fluid accumulation in the lungs.

When this occurs, the elastic air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs fill with fluid

and the function of the alveoli is impaired. The result is that less oxygen

reaches the bloodstream, depriving organs of the oxygen required for normal

function and viability. Severe shortness of breath, the main symptom of ARDS,

usually develops within a few hours to a few days after the precipitating

injury or infection.

There are currently no effective pharmacologic therapies for treatment or

prevention of ARDS. While inhibition of fibrin formation mitigated injury in

some preclinical models of ARDS, anticoagulation therapies in humans do not

attenuate ARDS and may even increase mortality. Protective lung ventilator

strategies remain the mainstay of available treatment options. Due to the

significant morbidity and mortality associated with ARDS and the lack of

effective treatment options, new therapeutic agents for the treatment of ARDS

and new treatment methods for ARDS are needed.

About FibroGenesis

Based in Houston, Texas, FibroGenesis, is a regenerative medicine company

developing an innovative solution for chronic disease treatment using human

dermal fibroblasts. Currently, FibroGenesis holds 184 U.S. and international

issued patents/patents pending across a variety of clinical pathways, including

Disc Degeneration, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Chronic Traumatic

Encephalopathy, Cancer, Diabetes, Liver Failure and Heart Failure. Funded

entirely by angel investors, FibroGenesis represents the next generation of

medical advancement in cell therapy.

Visit www.Fibro-Genesis.com.

SOURCE: FibroGenesis

CONTACT: Clinical Contact: info@Fibro-Genesis.com