BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) Shoots Up 36%; Submits Type A Meeting Request With FDA
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI), a developer of adult stem cell therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, shot up 36% today after announcing that they submitted a Type A meeting request to the FDA. The meeting is in order to discuss the contents of a refusal to file letter issued by the FDA regarding BCLI’s New Biologics Application for NurOwn – a treatment for ALS.
The meeting is expected to take place within 30 days of the FDA’s receipt of the meeting request.
“Participating in a Type A meeting will be an important next step towards enabling NurOwn’s advancement through the regulatory process,” said Chaim Lebovits, Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm. “The extensive briefing package submitted with our request contains a comprehensive strategy to fully address the CMC matters raised in the refusal to file letter. We anticipate achieving quick alignment with the FDA on the CMC strategy and expect that its execution will be straightforward. We therefore anticipate a Type A meeting focused primarily on discussing how we can secure an Advisory Committee Meeting, which we believe will be a critical step on NurOwn’s path towards approval as an ALS therapy.”
The NurOwn® technology platform (autologous MSC-NTF cells) represents a promising investigational therapeutic approach to targeting disease pathways important in neurodegenerative disorders. MSC-NTF cells are produced from autologous, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been expanded and differentiated ex vivo. MSCs are converted into MSC-NTF cells by growing them under patented conditions that induce the cells to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors (NTFs). Autologous MSC-NTF cells are designed to effectively deliver multiple NTFs and immunomodulatory cytokines directly to the site of damage to elicit a desired biological effect and ultimately slow or stabilize disease progression.
About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of innovative autologous adult stem cell therapeutics for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. The Company holds the rights to clinical development and commercialization of the NurOwn® technology platform used to produce autologous MSC-NTF cells through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement. Autologous MSC-NTF cells have received Orphan Drug designation status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BrainStorm has completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial in ALS (NCT03280056); this trial investigated the safety and efficacy of repeat-administration of autologous MSC-NTF cells and was supported by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM CLIN2-0989). BrainStorm completed under an investigational new drug application a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial (NCT03799718) of autologous MSC-NTF cells in progressive MS and was supported by a grant from the National MS Society (NMSS).
