Key United States Patent Granted for Cell-Based Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions

NEW YORK and MELBOURNE, Australia, March 24, 2016 -- Mesoblast Limited (Nasdaq:MESO) (ASX:MSB) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted a key patent covering the use of the Company’s proprietary Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPCs) for the treatment or prevention of a broad range of rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The granted US Patent No. 9,265,796, entitled ‘Method of treatment or preventing rheumatic disease’, provides Mesoblast with commercial rights in the United States through to July 4, 2032. Further patent term extension may occur along with regulatory exclusivity extensions.

The granted claims cover the use of cell populations enriched for MPCs, defined as STRO-1 positive multipotential cells, which have been isolated from any tissue source and which may have been culture-expanded, for the treatment of various rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, sacroiliitis, enteric arthritis, and Reiter's syndrome. Additionally, the granted claims cover the use of these cell populations to reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-17, all established mediators of inflammatory arthritis in rheumatic diseases.

MPCs secrete potent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory factors and are thought to mediate their effects on inflammatory joint conditions by inhibiting multiple cytokine pathways implicated in joint inflammation of rheumatic diseases.

This granted patent underpins the value of Mesoblast's commercial strategy for developing an effective cell-based therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions. 

The Company recently announced top-line results from the first cohort of its ongoing Phase 2 trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have previously failed one or more biologic agents. A single intravenous infusion of the lower dose of Mesoblast’s proprietary MPC product candidate, MPC-300-IV, was safe and resulted in early and sustained clinical responses. The second cohort evaluating a higher dose of MPC-300-IV has now fully enrolled. Results from both cohorts are expected to be reported in Q3 CY 2016.

Mesoblast has more than 661 patents or patent applications across at least 72 patent families which provide substantial competitive advantages for the commercial development of cell-based therapeutic products using mesenchymal lineage cells.

About Mesoblast
Mesoblast Limited (Nasdaq:MESO) (ASX:MSB) is a global leader in developing innovative cell-based medicines. The Company has leveraged its proprietary technology platform, which is based on specialized cells known as mesenchymal lineage adult stem cells, to establish a broad portfolio of late-stage product candidates. Mesoblast’s allogeneic, ‘off-the-shelf’ cell product candidates target advanced stages of diseases with high, unmet medical needs including cardiovascular conditions, orthopedic disorders, immunologic and inflammatory disorders and oncologic/hematologic conditions. 

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For further information, please contact:
Julie Meldrum
Global Head of Corporate Communications
Mesoblast Limited
T: +61 3 9639 6036
E: [email protected]