Oxycyte perfluorocarbon emulsion demonstrates marked neuroprotective effect in rat model of spinal cord injury

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OXBT) today reported on the results of two University of Miami Miller School of Medicine studies involving the Company's third-generation perfluorocarbon, Oxycyte® perfluorocarbon emulsion. Both study reports showed that Oxycyte® has a marked neuroprotective effect in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

"Having proof-of-concept is a first step toward moving Oxycyte down the spinal cord injury track. The positive results observed in both studies may warrant efforts to pursue partnerships to conduct clinical studies of Oxycyte in spinal cord injury in the future," said Gerald Klein, Chief Medical Officer for Oxygen Biotherapeutics.

The studies showed that histologically, Oxycyte improves the volume of preserved neuronal tissue in the spinal cord following injury; a favorable improvement in functional recovery, as assessed by footprint analysis six weeks post treatment, has also been observed. 

The study entitled "Possible Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) and Oxycyte After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats," will be part of the poster sessions at the National Neurotrauma Symposium on June 14-16, 2010 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.  Results of the first study entitled "Evaluation of the Neuroprotective and Behavioral Effects of the Perfluorocarbon Oxycyte After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the Rat" were presented in September 2009 at the annual National-International Neurotrauma Symposium by Dr. Ross Bullock, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Both studies received funding from Oxygen Biotherapeutics.

Oxycyte emulsion is a proprietary therapeutic oxygen carrier. It is a perfluorocarbon emulsified with water and a surfactant that is delivered intravenously.

According to statistics from various studies compiled by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center in Birmingham, AL, an estimated 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury occur each year in the United States; and the number of people living in the United States with SCI is estimated to be approximately 259,000 people.