Highlights

• Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX:CYP) has completed a pre-clinical study in an animal model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
• The pre-clinical study supports the high potency of Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus^TM MSCs
• The study outlines the mechanisms of action by which Cymerus MSCs provide therapeutic efficacy as a potential treatment option for IPF

Australian clinical-stage stem cell and regenerative medicine company Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX:CYP) has concluded a pre-clinical study that provides further evidence in support of the highly potent anti-inflammatory effects of Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus^TM MSCs. The pre-clinical study outlines the mechanisms of action by which Cymerus MSCs provide therapeutic efficacy as a potential treatment option for IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).

Cynata’s Cymerus technology overcomes the shortcomings of existing methods of production of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The technology uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and a precursor cell called mesenchymoangioblast (MCA) to achieve economic manufacture of cell therapy products, including MSCs, at commercial scale from a single donor, eliminating the need for multiple donors.

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Details of pre-clinical study

The study was conducted in mice subjected to bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which mimics features of IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) in humans. It was performed by Professor Chrishan Samuel, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Fellow and Head of the Fibrosis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology at Monash University. Professor Samuel intends to submit the study report for publication in an appropriate scientific journal.

Image Source: © Dolgachov | Megapixl.com

In the pre-clinical study, Cymerus MSC doses were administered either once or once weekly over a two-week treatment period and were compared with saline controls (n = 6-10 per group, p values from <0.05 to <0.001).

Key findings of the study

Cynata informed the treatment with Cymerus MSCs significantly ameliorated the mediators of lung inflammation in the model at the same time as promoting anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, the study results provide further evidence supporting the potent effects of Cymerus MSCs in bleomycin induced inflammatory lung disease.

Let us now take a closer look at the key findings of the pre-clinical study below:

• Significantly improved the BLM-induced M2 macrophage, dendritic cell, and T cell influx into the airways/lungs and pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β levels within the airways/lung.
• Substantially promoted anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IFN-γ levels within the airways/lung.
• The BLM-induced pSmad2 levels dropped significantly, while the BLM-induced loss of Smad7 levels were restored within the airways/lung (without affecting pSmad3 levels).
• There was no impact on MAP kinase levels and CTGF, PDGF or ET-1 levels within the airway/lungs.
• Significantly promoted or restored the BLM-induced loss of MMP-13 and MMP-2 levels and the MMP-13/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 balance (without impacting MMP-9 levels or the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance).
• Substantially reduced the BLM-induced interstitial collagen area, interstitial collagen area to tissue area ratio, interstitial collagen fibre density, thickness, and length (without impacting interstitial collagen fibre cross-linking).

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Management commentary

According to Cynata’s Chief Operating Officer, Kilian Kelly, this study provides extensive detail around the molecular mechanisms associated with the observed high potency of Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus MSCs. The study results provide additional data in support of investigating the clinical utility of the Company’s MSCs in fibrotic diseases of the lungs and potentially of other organs, a pathway Cynata is seeking to pursue with potential commercial partners.

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Cynata shares are trading at A$0.375 as of 12:03 PM AEST.