According to Gil Van Bokkelen, chairman and CEO of Athersys, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to be a debilitating condition for many people. Could Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy product benefit the more than two million people worldwide who suffer from some form of  IBD, such as ulcerative colitis?

A new phase II clinical trial will search for the answer. Athersys, in collaboration with Pfizer Inc., is conducting a study involving about 126 people in clinical sites across North America and Europe. Participants will receive multiple doses of either MultiStem or a placebo over the course of several weeks. Baseline and eight-week evaluations will be conducted, and all patients will receive follow-up evaluations through 12 months.

MultiStem is produced from nonembryonic tissues such as adult bone marrow. The human stem cells in the product have the ability to reduce inflammation, protect damaged tissue or form new blood vessels in injured areas. In addition to ulcerative colitis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, MultiStem has shown promise in aiding with bone marrow transplants and in the treatment of damage from ischemic strokes, which is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain.

Athersys trades on the NASDAQ and has experienced steady growth during the last 12 months.

SOURCE: Athersys
WRITER: Diane DiPiero