TheraVitae Presents Positive Stem Cell Trial Results at American Heart Association Convention

Released on = November 15, 2006, 6:34 pm

Press Release Author = TheraVitae

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = Summary: American Heart Association - TheraVitae presented
the final results of a clinical trial of patients suffering from severe angina
pectoris. The data shows the patients improved significantly after receiving VesCell
TM autologous adult stem cell therapy.

Press Release Body = Chicago, IL, 15 November, 2006 - TheraVitae, an international
biotechnology company and the producer of VesCellTM adult stem cell therapy for
heart disease, presented the final results from its first clinical study at the
American Heart Association Scientific Sessions this week in Chicago. The results of
the study show that the therapy has a high safety profile and is effective in
alleviating severe angina pectoris in patients without any other therapeutic option.
The study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of intracoronary administration of
VesCellTM to patients suffering from severe angina pectoris, was conducted in
conjunction with Her Majesty's Cardiac Center at Siriraj Medical Hospital in
Bangkok, Thailand.

By using sophisticated tissue culture technology facilitating the isolation,
expansion and differentiation of angiogenic cell precursors (ACPs) to an amount
sufficient to induce blood vessel formation in the heart, the scientists at
TheraVitae have developed VesCellTM, which is used now by doctors in Thailand and
Singapore for patients suffering from severe heart disease. Cells are isolated from
the blood, processed outside the body and then administered to the patient into
regions of the heart suffering from reduced blood supply.

Prof. Damras Tresukosol MD Director of Cardiology at the Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol
University in Bangkok and the Principal Investigator of the trial, presented the
results which showed significant improvement in most patients at six month
follow-up:

. Over 90% of patients reported subjective improvement of their physical condition
and ability to perform physical exercise
. Over 70% showed improvement in treadmill exercise capacity
. Over 75% of patients showed objective improvement in the perfusion defect of the
ischemic region

The results are a major step toward proving the safety and efficacy of VesCellTM
therapy, and demonstrate the reliability of TheraVitae\'s cell manufacturing process.
Moreover, they illustrate the considerable benefits and low risk that VesCellTM
therapy provides to patients.

Professor Tresukosol said: \"These results are extremely encouraging and reaffirm our
belief that VesCellTM can make a substantial and positive difference in the lives of
patients suffering from severe angina pectoris."

Valentin Fulga, MD, CEO of TheraVitae, added: \"Working on this landmark study with
our Thai colleagues has been both exciting and fruitful. By presenting these
encouraging results together at the American Heart Association meeting, we hope to
have added our small contribution to the medical community's knowledge about the
utilization of adult stem cell therapies. Together with the recent publication of
our scientific article in the British Journal of Hematology, we hope that our
technology is starting to become acknowledged by the medical and scientific
communities."


About TheraVitae

TheraVitae is a private, multinational company focused on using stem cells from the
patient\'s own blood in order to treat a variety of disorders, especially
cardiovascular diseases. The company has developed a proprietary stem cell
technology, 'VesCellTM', that is currently being used by hospitals in Thailand and
Singapore to treat patients with heart disease.


Web Site = http://www.theravitae.com

Contact Details = TheraVitae Thailand
36/72 PS Tower, 21/Fl., Sukhumvit 21, Klongtoey Nua, Bangkok 10110
Phone: 02-664-4290/3
Fax: 02-664-42-89

Theravitae Israel
7 Pinhas Sapir Street P.O. Box 4049, Ness Ziona 74140, Israel
Phone: +972-8-9409170
Fax: +972-8-9409167

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