Parkinson’s indication for LCT
Thursday, 11 December, 2008
Auckland xenotransplantation company Living Cell Technologies reports that pre-clinical trials show its encapsulated porcine brain cells may be beneficial in Parkinson’s disease.
LCT is considering its NeurotrophinCell (NtCell) product in stroke, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, amongst others.
The company said studies showed the product – encapsulated brain choroid plexus cells – improved limb function in a Parkinson’s rat model.
The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid. The pig-derived cells were implanted to supply the nerve growth factor neurotrophins to repair diseased tissue.
The company, which is in human clinical trials in New Zealand and Russia for its encapsulated porcine islet cells for diabetes, has filed a patent for the new indication.
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