Ross Macdonald – VJRegenMed

CYP-001 in adults with steroid-resistant GvHD

Simon Ng — Tue, 03 May 2022 16:17:07 +0000

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have shown promising efficacy as a cell therapy. Ross Macdonald, PhD, Cynata Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia, discusses results from a Phase I trial (NCT02923375) assessing CYP-001, a MSC-based cell therapy in patients with steroid resistant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). For patients who progress from corticosteroids, treatment options remain poor and mortality remains high. CYP-001 resulted in a complete response in over half of the cohort and after a two year follow-up, a survival rate of over 50% was reported. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

SCUlpTOR: CYP-004 in osteoarthritis

Simon Ng — Tue, 03 May 2022 16:17:06 +0000

Ross Macdonald, PhD, Cynata Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia, discusses the Phase III SCUlpTOR trial (ACTRN12620000870954) assessing CYP-004, a novel mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs)-based cell therapy for patients with osteoarthritis. Whilst previous studies investigating autologous stem cell therapies have shown promise, there is an unmet need for curative therapies. The randomized double blind trial will assess the investigational therapy in 440 patients with degenerative osteoarthritis. The interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Addressing challenges in using MSCs in cell therapies

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:04:28 +0000

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated potential in cell therapies, as they have unique immunomodulatory properties. Ross Macdonald, PhD, Cynata Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia, comments on the hurdles in commercializing MSC-based cell therapies. Unlike autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, MSCs are derived from allogeneic sources, which in itself presents logistical issues in terms of obtaining enough donors. Cell expansion for commercial usage additionally is an issue, as MSCs become less potent as they expand, and Dr Macdonald presents solutions offered by Cynata Therapeutics that attempt to overcome the aforementioned barriers. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Generating iSPC-derived MSCs with the Cymerus™ Platform

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:04:27 +0000

Ross Macdonald, PhD, Cynata Therapeutics, Melbourne, Australia, discusses the process of manufacturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with the Cymerus Platform. MSCs have shown encouraging efficacy as cell therapies and using iPSCs enables the MSCs to remain potent, as they do not require expansion. The iSPCs also do not require multiple donors as they can replicate indefinitely, resulting in MSCs of a consistent quality. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.