Athersys, CSCRM and CWRU receive $1M to advance MultiStem therapy for SCI

Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) and its collaborators, including the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), announced today that they have been awarded $1 million through the Ohio Third Frontier Biomedical Program to support research into the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) with MultiStem^®, Athersys' proprietary stem cell product candidate. The project is intended to advance preclinical and translational research involving the use of MultiStem as a treatment for damage associated with SCI.

Athersys and a team of CWRU researchers led by Dr. Jerry Silver, a leading neuroscientist, have demonstrated that MultiStem reduces the inflammation that occurs following spinal cord injury and supports neuronal growth. Work presented by Dr. Silver and members of his research team at recent scientific conferences including the International Society for Stem Cell Research 8^th Annual Meeting showed that in preclinical models of SCI MultiStem suppressed the neuroinflammation which results in additional axonal damage following such neurological injury. In addition, Dr. Silver's work also provides evidence that MultiStem inhibits axonal "dieback" normally observed following SCI and promotes the re-growth of the axons following injury. Results from preclinical research conducted in other labs exploring the effects of administering MultiStem in treating other types of neurological injury, such as ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury, show similar benefits.

The treatment of spinal cord injuries and related paralysis and disability is an unmet medical condition of significance in the United States and globally. According to a study by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, more than 1.2 million Americans have had spinal cord injuries. Direct medical costs associated with treating SCI patients can be substantial, especially for those with severe injury.

"Spinal cord injury is a devastating condition, and our research with Athersys suggests that MultiStem has strong potential to help these patients," said Dr. Jerry Silver, professor of Neuroscience at Case Western Reserve University. "The effects following administration of these remarkable cells after spinal cord injury in simultaneously preventing axonal dieback and stimulating nerve fiber sprouting are as strong as I have ever seen."

 "We are excited by the preclinical results observed to date and the possibility that MultiStem may be able to help people suffering from spinal cord injury," said William B.J. Lehmann, president and COO of Athersys. "We look forward to working with scientists and clinicians at Case Western and the Cleveland Clinic to further develop this program and evaluate the potential for clinical entry in treating SCI. This collaborative effort is consistent with our strategy of working with leading scientists and clinical collaborators to evaluate the potential of MultiStem for multiple diseases and conditions, and also highlights the innovative translational work being conducted at CSCRM."