Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable disease of unknown cause, which results in extensive scarring / fibrosis of the lungs. Lung damage is often advanced when first diagnosed and invariably progresses to respiratory failure with only 20-30% of patients surviving 5 years from diagnosis [1]. IPF is a clinical target of high unmet medical need with existing treatments having limited effects on disease progression or survival rates.
Studies conducted in preclinical rodent models of IPF have demonstrated efficacy of Cymerus MSCs, based on statistically significant improvements in multiple clinically relevant outcome measures, including levels of fibrosis, inflammation, dynamic lung compliance and airway resistance.
Building on the very encouraging pre-clinical data Cynata is presently developing plans to commence a clinical trial in patients with IPF, expected to commence in 2021.
[1] Ley B, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183(4):431-40