∆ Meridigen Chairman, John Hsuan (Right) & General Manager, Yogi Hsuan (Left). (Anue鉅亨網 Reporter Li Yi Rui )

 

Meridigen (宣捷細胞生物製藥) announced, UMC119-01, a new drug for infant bronchopulmonary dysplasia treatment, made from neonatal umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell had been approved by TFDA for Phase I clinical trial. Starting by Q3 this year, Meridigen will be cooperating with Cheng Kung University Hospital (國立成功大學醫學院附設醫院) and expect to receive 10 cases.

Meridigen Chairman, John Hsuan (宣明智) indicated, UMC119-01 new stem cell drug is the one and only new drug in Taiwan that was made from neonatal umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell. Its differentiation ability and speed is superior to adipocyte mesenchymal stem cell, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell, etc. Therefore its clinical trial result is very promising.

Meridigen indicated, UMC119-01 clinical trial had received the go-ahead by USFDA by last year, if the trial was successful, allogeneic stem cell therapy would be available and the new stem cell drug could be marketed in Taiwan. This also implicate that neonatal stem cell stored in the bio-bank was no longer limited for self-use only, indicating its vast medical value. 

Meridigen indicated, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease of abnormal respiratory system in premature infants. Study shows that events such as, prenatal infection, inflammation, premature delivery or postpartum administration of respiratory support to neonatal could lead to abnormal lung development, causing BPD to occur. Currently there is no effective therapy for the disease, most treatment are mainly supportive in nature, which include various respiratory support therapy. If necessary, steroids, antibiotics and other drugs would be given to alleviate the symptoms.

News Source：Anue 鉅亨網, Picture By：Anue 鉅亨網 Reporter Li Yi Rui (李宜儒), Taipei