Medgenics Announces Positive Data With Second-Generation Viral Vectors

(RTTNews) - Medgenics Inc. (MDGN, MEDU.L, MEDG.L) announced that new, positive data on the Company's second-generation viral vectors were highlighted in a poster presentation at the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Congress.

According to the company, the new study showed that the Company's second-generation gene therapy vectors provided substantial improvements in levels and durability of therapeutic protein secretion in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the new vectors incorporated improvements in surgical technique, including co-administration of Depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate) on implantation.

More specifically, when Depo-Medrol was applied to second generation vectors, animals serum hEPO levels remained 40-50 fold higher for over 100 days post implantation when compared to first generation vector with no Depo-Medrol.

The company noted that it plans to initiate human trials with a Biopump containing the second generation viral vector and new implantation protocol in the first half of 2014.