11th Mar 2014 11:27
LONDON (Alliance News) - ReNeuron Group PLC said Tuesday its retinal stem cell therapy candidate is to receive support from a retinal research funding foundation.
ReNeuron said its ReN003 retinal stem cell therapy candidate for the treatment of retinis pigmentosa is set to receive support from the US-based Foundation Fighting Blindness, a private source for inherited retinal disease research funding.
The FFB has played a key role in advancing ReNeuron's ReN003 therapy through its funding of earlier pre-clinical work conducted by the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, ReNeuron's principal US collaborator on the ReN003 programme, said the firm.
The foundation is now planning to provide additional resources to ReNeuron and its collaborators in support of preparations for initial clinical trials with ReN003, it said, including access to its network of expert pre-clinical and clinical advisers.
ReNeuron is using its proprietary human retinal progenitor cells as the basis of its ReN003 therapeutic candidate targeting retinitis pigmentosa, a group of hereditary diseases of the eye that lead to progressive loss of sight due to cells in the retina becoming damaged and eventually dying.
Dr. John Sinden, Chief Scientific Officer of ReNeuron, said, "the Foundation's extensive knowledge, experience and network of advisers will be invaluable to us as we look to progress the ReN003 programme into its clinical phase."
Shares in ReNeuron were trading higher Tuesday morning, up 6.77% at 3.47 pence per share.
By Alice Attwood; aliceattwood@alliancenews.com; @AliceAtAlliance
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