Titan Pharmaceuticals' subsidiary Theracell, Inc. signs licensing agreement with University of South Florida College of Medicine for the continued development of Sertoli cells; Findings Presented at the American Society of Neural Transplantation Conference Appear Promising.MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May, 9 1996--TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC inc - /ink/ increment, i.e. increase by one. Especially used by assembly programmers, as many assembly languages have an "inc" mnemonic. Antonym: dec. . (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on NM: TTNP TTNP Tactical Telephone Numbering Plan , TTNPU AND TTNPW), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Theracell Inc., has signed a licensing agreement with the University of South Florida College of Medicine As of Fall 2006, there were 477 students in the M.D. program; 78 students in the M.S. and 83 students in the Ph.D. program in the School of Basic Biomedical Sciences; and 55 students in the DPT program in the School of Physical Therapy. ("USF USF University of South Florida USF Universal Service Fund (often part of phone bill in US) USF University of San Francisco USF University of Sioux Falls USF University of St. ") to develop Sertoli cell technology for the restorative treatment of degenerative and traumatic brain disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease, stroke and spinal injury. Under the terms of the agreement, Theracell will obtain an exclusive worldwide license and invest at least $1.5 million in Sertoli cell technology over the next two years. Theracell will be granted the rights to additional technology developed as a result of Sertoli cell research conducted with U.S.F. Sertoli cell technology, particularly applications related to traumatic and neurodegenerative disorders, is covered broadly in U.S. and foreign patent applications licensed exclusively to Theracell by USF. Sertoli cells are normally found in the testes testes or testicles Male reproductive organs (see reproductive system). Humans have two oval-shaped testes 1.5–2 in. (4–5 cm) long that produce sperm and androgens (mainly testosterone), contained in a sac (scrotum) behind the penis. and provide immune protection and nutritional support to sperm as they mature. Theracell's program is designed to develop the therapeutic potential of Sertoli cells, which appear to restore damaged brain tissue and may enhance the survival of other cells transplanted into the central nervous system. In preliminary animal studies at USF, researchers have demonstrated that transplanted Sertoli cells produce functional recovery from the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Clinical trials testing the safety and effectiveness of Sertoli cell transplantation in humans are about two years away. "We are exploring the first, potential use of Sertoli cells for neurological treatment," said Paul Sanberg, Ph.D., professor and director of neurosurgical research at USF. "The unique cell holds promise both for helping to keep transplanted cells alive and for replacing cells lost to spinal cord injury Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. , stroke or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's." "The most exciting potential of this new technology," said Richard C. Allen, Ph.D., president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Theracell, Inc., "is to restore the function of damaged brain tissue, which is not achievable with present therapies." Findings Presented at American Society of Neural Transplantation Conference Appear Promising At the American Society for Neural Transplantation Conference in Clearwater, Fla., April 25 to 27, USF researchers presented their findings of a novel study in which Sertoli cells were successfully transplanted into the brains of rats with symptoms of Parkinson's disease. When Sertoli cells were transplanted into the brains of rats along with dopamine-producing cells, the Sertoli cells protected the cross-species dopamine cells without the need for long-term immunosuppression immunosuppression Suppression of immunity with drugs, usually to prevent rejection of an organ transplant. Its aim is to allow the recipient to accept the organ permanently with no unpleasant side effects. . Dopamine is a neurotransmitter essential for control of movements, which is lost in Parkinson's disease. In addition, Sertoli cells alone transplanted into brains of rats with symptoms of Parkinson's disease restored normal motor function. The researchers suspect the secretion of growth factors by Sertoli cells may somehow promote increased production of dopamine by remaining nerve cells to compensate for the loss of damaged cells. Both the transplanted rat Sertoli cells and the dopamine cells thrived in the brain and did not trigger an adverse immune reaction in the rats. One of the biggest challenges of transplantation is protecting the transplanted tissue, which is recognized by the recipient's immune system as foreign, from rejection. Significant doses of cyclosporine, administered to suppress the immune system so transplants can survive, often have harmful side effects. Sertoli cells may reduce or eliminate the need for such immunosuppresive drugs. Titan Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that develops proprietary therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, nervous system disorders Nervous system disorders A satisfactory classification of diseases of the nervous system should include not only the type of reaction (congenital malformation, infection, trauma, neoplasm, vascular diseases, and degenerative, metabolic, toxic, or deficiency and other life-threatening diseases. The company's operations are currently conducted through four operating companies: Ansan (Nasdaq: ANSN ANSN Asian Nuclear Safety Network , ANSNU), Ingenex, Theracell and ProNeura. CONTACT: Kristen Mahan Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc. 212-838-3777 or Louis Bucalo, M.D. CEO & President Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 415-617-2090 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion