SALT LAKE CITY, March 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predictive Technology Group (OTC PINK: PRED) (“Predictive” or “The Company”), today announced that last week it began communication with domestic and international agencies and groups to be a supplier of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the potential clinical treatment of patients suffering from secondary issues related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). In other related news today the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) issued a statement on COVID-19, discussing practices and urging authorities to approve expanded umbilical cord stem cell infusions as a treatment. WWW.asipp.org/asipp-updates/STATEMENT-FROM-ASIPP-ON-COVID-19
ChinaXiv recently reported (March 2, 2020) the outcomes of seven patients with COVID-19 pneumonia enrolled in a clinical trial at Beijing YouAn Hospital, China. The clinical outcomes, as well as changes in inflammatory and immune function levels, and adverse effects of the enrolled patients were assessed over the 14 days following MSC injection. The patients were treated with MSCs derived from the Wharton’s jelly layer of the umbilical cord. The pulmonary function and symptoms of all seven patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were significantly improved within 2 days of the MSC transplantation.
Utilizing regenerative medicine technology with the administration of MSCs may help mitigate underlying COVID-19 associated lung damage. While this treatment is not a method to vaccinate nor cure the virus, the results reported in this publication indicate that infected patients may be more likely to combat and survive the related secondary issues of a COVID-19 infection if regenerative technologies are applied.
“Given our expertise and proprietary processes for isolating the MSC’s from source tissue, combined with our strong safety record in delivering tens of thousands of allografts to the market, it is not surprising that we have received a high number of inquiries regarding our potential involvement with this global health crisis,” said Bradley Robinson, CEO of Predictive Technology Group. “We are watching the development of clinical trials from around the world and remain poised to help in any we can, pending regulatory guidance. Our experience and capital investments over the past few years has equipped us with the expertise and ability to scale to meet demand,” added Robinson.
MSCs have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types and are able to resist viral attacks with the expression of interferon gamma stimulated genes (ISGs). With the ability to express ISGs, stem cells would be expected to survive even when transplanted into a patient with an active COVID-19 infection. Stem cells rejuvenate and regenerate cells in the body through various processes involving reduction of inflammation, secretion of substances that protect cells, transfer of mitochondria, reduction of cell death, anti-oxidative effects and improvement of immune system function. These effects are likely to increase survival in patients infected with COVID-19.
Additionally, there is evidence of stem cells aiding in the protection against viral infection. The influenza virus A/H5N1 is known to cause acute lung injury. With the injection of human MSCs, A/H5N1 was reduced in mice and the treatment increased rates of survival (Chan, et al, PNAS 113:3621, 2016).
Umbilical cord tissue is particularly rich in MSCs, which is why many parents choose to store them. As new clinical therapies are discovered, the importance of storing stem cells from perinatal tissue (umbilical cord and placenta) will become a critical source for individuals needing stem cell therapies in the future.
Predictive Technology Group was the first to market and is the current market leader in the United States for the procurement and processing of umbilical cord tissue for clinical use. Predictive has operated its FDA-compliant commercial biologics manufacturing facility for several years. This facility is cGMP and cGTP compliant, ISO13485 certified, and FDA registered. All clinical manufacturing occurs in an ISO 7 certified sterile cleanroom with extensive and advanced testing to assure the absence of contamination.
"We are well positioned to have the procurement, processing and cell culturing expertise and scale to offer stem cell therapy for secondary issues related to COVID-19 infections in both domestic and international markets. While effective vaccines are being developed, US-based stem cell transplants represent a real opportunity to fight the virus and increase survival rates with patients infected worldwide,” Bradley Robinson added.
As the major commercial supplier of umbilical cord MSCs in the United States, Predictive is well positioned to continue its leadership role in ensuring a stable supply of this potentially life-saving intervention that has been associated with promoting the regeneration and repair of lung tissue damaged by acute respiratory viral infections, such as those caused by COVID-19. The company plans to evaluate potential research and commercial collaboration opportunities to supply stem cells either directly through Predictive, or in collaboration with other private and/or public entities.
About Predictive Technology Group, Inc.
Predictive Technology Group aims to revolutionize and personalize precision patient care. The Company’s entities harness predictive gene-based analytics to develop genetic and molecular diagnostic tests, as well as companion therapeutics, in order to support a patient from diagnosis through treatment. The Companies’ tests and products empower clinicians to provide their patients with the highest level of care. Predictive’s subsidiaries include Predictive Laboratories, Predictive Biotech and Predictive Therapeutics.
For more information, visit www.predtechgroup.com
Forward-Looking Statements:
To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for human cell and tissue products and other pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, availability of additional intellectual property rights, availability of future financing sources, the regulatory environment, and other risks the Company may identify from time to time in the future.
Contacts:
For more information, visit www.predtechgroup.com or contact:
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LifeSci Communications
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LifeSci Advisors
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212-915-2568
