AsiaNet  84112

HOUSTON, May 22, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

  -- PneumoBlast(TM) Reduces Pathology and Lung Fluid Accumulation in

     Model of COVID-19

FibroGenesis announced today significant efficacy of its PneumoBlast(TM)

product in an animal model of lung inflammation which resembles COVID-19.  Mice

immune systems were stimulated to enter hyper-activation mode, which causes

symptoms similar to COVID-19.  Once COVID-19 simulation was achieved,

administration of PneumoBlast(TM) resulted in significant reduction in lung

fluid accumulation.  Additionally, reduction was observed from infiltration of

inflammatory cells, as well as suppression of chemical mediators such as

interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are associated with poor survival in COVID-19

patients.

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In one set of experiments, control-untreated-mice possessed a lung wet weight

to body weight ratio (LWW/BW) of 3.7 mg/g.  Mice treated with

lipopolysaccharide; an agent that induces COVID-19-like lung inflammation

caused an increase of the LWW/BW ratio of 12.5 mg/g.  Administration of bone

marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to lipopolysaccharide-treated-mice only

reduced the LWW/BW ratio to 9.9 mg/g.  In strong contrast, PneumoBlast(TM)

administration significantly reduced the LWW/BW ratio to 5.2 mg/g in

lipopolysaccharide-treated-mice (p < .001).  PneumoBlast(TM) showed a 37%

improvement in outcome compared to BMSCs, which was statistically significant

(p < .005). More importantly, after the introduction of PneumoBlast(TM)

fibroblast cell therapy, average LWW/BW ratios returned to baseline control

numbers of healthy lungs, which resulted in no statistical difference between

recovered lungs and normal/healthy lungs using PneumoBlast(TM).

When the lung inflammation marker interleukin-6 was assessed, control mice

possessed 532.3 pg/ml of the cytokine, whereas lipopolysaccharide

administration caused an increase to 4400.1 pg/ml.  Treatment with BMSCs

resulted in a slight 26% decrease of IL-6 in the

lipopolysaccharide-treated-mice to 3317.7 pg/ml, whereas PneumoBlast(TM)

significantly reduced IL-6 by 80% to 896.2 pg/ml, which was highly significant

(p < .001).  The use of PneumoBlast(TM) resulted in a 54% improvement over

BMSCs (p < .001).  The introduction of PneumoBlast(TM) cell therapy resulted in

a reduction of inflammation back to normal/healthy lung levels in just 24 hours.

"This preliminary data is compelling and urgently needs to be translated into

clinical trials," said Tom Ichim, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of

FibroGenesis.  "Our studies showed PneumoBlast(TM) therapy significantly

outperformed BMSCs in all parameters tested.  We have previously obtained FDA

IND Clearance #18151, for using similar cells to treat degenerative disc

disease.  Given the promising efficacy data, combined with existing human

safety data, I strongly believe PneumoBlast(TM) may offer new hope to patients

suffering from COVID-19 associated lung disease."

"We are excited about this positive outcome and the ability to dramatically

reduce fluid accumulation in the lungs," said Pete O'Heeron, President and CEO

of FibroGenesis. "Once again, compared to stem cells, fibroblasts appear to be

a more robust and potent cell source.  These data also suggest PneumoBlast(TM)

may possess activity not only related to suppressing inflammation and fluid

accumulation, but also to regenerating damage the COVID-19 virus causes to

lungs.  This is the best result we could have hoped for."

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 200+ 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: Pete O'Heeron, CEO, Pete.OHeeron@Fibro-Genesis.com