Mesoblast's cell therapy leads to RA responses

Mesoblast Ltd. (ASX:MSB; NASDAQ:MESO) said mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) therapy MPC-300-IV met the primary safety endpoint and led to clinical responses on a pre-specified efficacy endpoint in the first cohort of a Phase II study to treat rheumatoid arthritis in patients receiving methotrexate who had failed at least one biologic. Mesoblast gained $0.56 (13%) to $4.92 on NASDAQ on Tuesday after the news was announced; it gained A$0.19 (16%) to A$1.35 in Sydney prior to the announcement.

According to Mesoblast, a single infusion of a low dose of MPC-300-IV led to a 47% ACR20 response rate at 12 weeks vs. 25% for placebo in the 24-patient cohort. In the 16 patients who had failed one to two prior biologics, the ACR20 response rate was 60% for MPC-300-IV vs. 17% for placebo. Mesoblast said the therapy, which consists of allogeneic adult MPCs, did not lead to any cell-related adverse events in the cohort. ...