News: Portfolio 2007

Neuronyx testing adult stem cell therapy in heart patients

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Based on those results,Neuronyx expanded from its initial focus, neurological disorders, into other areas.

 

Last year, Neuronyx received Food and Drug Administration approval to begin testing its therapy -- in which stem cells are injected directly into the damaged heart tissue using a minimally invasive catheter -- in a small group of heart attack patients.

 

Joseph Wagner, the company's vice president of cellular therapy, said four heart attack patients have been enrolled in the study. The company's goal is to grow that number to 18 patients this year. While the primary purpose of the study is to demonstrate its safety, the company is also able to get an early look at the therapy's effectiveness.

To date, Wagner said, no patients have experienced any adverse effects. In addition, he said, three of the patients who received the therapy more than three months ago are showing indications the treatment is helping improve heart function.

 

Faulkner Schoemaker, a major Neuronyx shareholder, joined the company's board following her husband's death a year ago. Her background is in clinical research and technology licensing. She has held posts at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, Wistar Institute and Malvern-based Avitech Diagnostics.

 

She took over as CEO late last year from Stephen Webster after the board decided to make a change at the top as the company shifted from being in a development stage to a clinical stage. The company is conducting a national search for a permanent CEO.

 

"We are all here to realize Hubert's vision," Faulkner Schoemaker said, "and I'm here with 22 passionate people who share that vision."

 

jgeorge@bizjournals.com | 215-238-5137

 

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