Tengion Presents New Data Supporting Key Urologic and Kidney Programs at 16th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Cellular Therapy
EAST NORRITON, Pa., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tengion
Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGN) today announced that its
scientists have presented new research data in three podium
presentations at the 16th Annual Meeting of the International
Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) which was held May 23-26 in
Philadelphia. These presentations highlighted key findings in
Tengion's Neo-Urinary Conduit and Neo-Kidney Augment programs and
provided further information about the company's work with various
cell types -- adipose-derived smooth muscle cells and human kidney
cells -- that support its current and planned clinical development
programs.
"Our scientists and discovery team continues to build a robust
base of scientific data and technology support that we feel
strongly positions these programs for success. We look forward to
additional preclinical and clinical data presentations this year,"
stated Tim Bertram, D.V.M., Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Science
and Technology for Tengion. Scientific data presented at ISCT
successfully demonstrate that an adipose tissue -- or fatty tissue
-- biopsy could be a source of healthy smooth muscle cells which
are then used in Tengion's manufacturing process to manufacture an
autologous neo-organ. This method eliminates the need to procure
cells from a failing or cancerous organ. These research findings
support Tengion's lead product candidate, the Neo-Urinary Conduit,
which is currently utilizing the adipose tissue biopsy method in an
open-label, single-arm Phase I clinical trial in patients with
bladder cancer. The Neo-Urinary Conduit is an autologous -- made
from a patient's own cells -- implant that is intended to catalyze
the regeneration of native-like bladder tissue for bladder cancer
patients requiring a urinary diversion following surgical bladder
removal.
Additionally, new research data were presented for the first
time demonstrating that bio-active renal cells, like those used in
Tengion's Neo-Kidney Augment program, can reduce the rate of loss
of functional kidney mass in a chronic kidney disease model.
Finally, new research data were also presented at ISCT confirming
that renal cells being used in Tengion's preclinical models are
present in diseased human tissue in patients with chronic kidney
disease.
The Neo-Kidney Augment is Tengion's lead discovery program and
is designed to prevent or delay the need for dialysis or kidney
transplant by increasing functional renal mass in patients with
advanced chronic renal disease, a significant unmet medical need.
Tengion expects to announce further data for this program in the
second half of this year.
These data presentations are available on Tengion's website at
http://www.tengion.com/news/documents.cfm.
About Tengion
Tengion, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has pioneered
the Organ Regeneration Platform that enables us to create
proprietary product candidates that are intended to harness the
intrinsic regenerative pathways of the body to produce a range of
native-like organs and tissues. Our product candidates eliminate
the need to utilize other tissues of the body for a purpose to
which they are poorly suited, procure donor organs or administer
anti-rejection medications. Tengion commenced a Phase I clinical
trial in March 2010 for its lead product candidate, the Neo-Urinary
Conduit, an autologous implant that catalyzes regeneration of
native-like bladder tissue for bladder cancer patients requiring a
urinary diversion following bladder removal. Tengion has also
applied its technology in two Phase II clinical trials for its
Neo-Bladder Augment for the treatment of neurogenic bladder.
Tengion has worldwide rights to its product candidates.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements set forth above may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not
limited to: (i) our plans to develop and commercialize our product
candidates, including our Neo-Urinary Conduit; and (ii) our ongoing
and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials. Although the
company believes that such statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and
operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor
guarantees and the company's business is subject to significant
risk and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that its
actual results will not differ materially from its expectations.
These risks and uncertainties include, among others: (i) we may
have difficulty enrolling patients in our clinical trials,
including our Phase I clinical trial for our Neo-Urinary Conduit;
(ii) patients enrolled in our clinical trials may experience
adverse events related to our product candidates, which could delay
our clinical trials or cause us to terminate the development of a
product candidate; and (iii) we may be unable to progress our
product candidates that are undergoing preclinical testing into
clinical trials. For further information with respect to factors
that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially
from expectations, reference is made to the reports the company
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking
statements made in this release are made only as of the date hereof
and the company disclaims any intention or responsibility for
updating predictions or financial expectations contained in this
release.
Source: Tengion Inc.
CONTACT: Investors: Linda Hearne, VP, Finance, linda.hearne@tengion.com,
or Media: Mark Stejbach, VP & Chief Commercial Officer,
mark.stejbach@tengion.com,
+1-267-960-4884, both of Tengion Inc.
Web Site: http://www.tengion.com/news/documents.cfm
Posted: May 2010
