

AMORCYTE COMPLETES PHASE I TRIAL OF STEM CELL THERAPY FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL
INFARCTION
HACKENSACK, New Jersey - (April 1, 2008) – Amorcyte,
Inc.(Amorcyte) announced today the completion of the
phase I clinical trial of its lead product, AMR-001 – an
autologous stem cell product for the treatment of damaged heart
muscle following acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
“All treatment patients in each dose cohort of the phase I trial
received intra-coronary artery infusion of a specified number of stem
cells. The number of stem cells infused was increased over the previous
cohort”, said Dr. Thomas Moss, Amorcyte’s
Chief Medical Officer.
“We are excited to have completed the phase I clinical trial
of AMR-001 in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or
heart attack, who have suffered significant damage to their heart
muscle,” stated Arshed A. Quyyumi, MD, FRCP,
FACC, Professor of Medicine, Cardiology, at Emory University School
of Medicine and the trial’s principal investigator. “This
trial has demonstrated proof of principle for this type of cell-based
therapy. We have shown that it is possible to take progenitor stem
cells harvested and extracted from a patient’s bone marrow shortly
after a heart attack and deliver these cells back into the patient’s
heart with the intent of repairing the damaged heart muscle. We eagerly
anticipate beginning a phase II trial”.
Amorcyte is a company led by experienced management and guided by
the outstanding expertise of a Scientific Advisory Board comprised
of Bernard J. Gersh, MB ChB, D.Phil, Professor of Medicine at Mayo
Clinic of Medicine and Consultant in Cardiovascular Diseases; Dean
J. Kereiakes, MD, Medical Director of the Heart Center of Greater
Cincinnati at Christ Hospital; Emerson C. Perin, MD, PhD, FACC,
Director, New Interventional Cardiovascular Technology, Texas Heart
Institute; Arshed A. Quyyumi, MD, FRCP, FACC, Professor of Medicine,
Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine; Edmund Waller,
MD, PhD, FACP, Professor of Medicine at Emory Health Care Division
of Cardiology; Ned Waller, MD, Professor of Medicine, Hematology
and Stem Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine; James
T. Willerson, MD, President of the University of Texas Health Science
Center; and Ching Zhu, PhD, MBA, Partner, PA Early Stage Partners
formerly of Guidant Corp.
“We believe that with the guidance of our external advisors,
we have an unparalleled clinical trial strategy which, combined with
our approach to corporate development, provides an outstanding opportunity
for both clinical and commercial success,” states
Andrew L. Pecora, MD, Amorcyte’s
Board Chairman. Results form pre-clinical studies were reported
at the 2007 American Society of Hematology Meeting. The company
anticipates reporting preliminary clinical results later this year.
About Cardiovascular Disease
It is estimated that each year there are approximately 1.1 million
instances of acute myocardial infarctions, 12 million cases of chronic
ischemia and 5 million occurrences of congestive heart failure in
the United States. A significant percentage of these patients may
benefit from additional therapies to ameliorate the symptoms of
their disease. Therapies like those being developed by Amorcyte
are under active investigation to determine safety and efficacy.
About Amorcyte, Inc.
Amorcyte is a privately funded biotechnology company developing
cell therapy products to treat cardiovascular disease, reimbursable
on a commercial scale for widespread clinical use. Amorcyte has
partnered with Progenitor Cell Therapy, a leading cell therapy contract
service provider for clinical, manufacturing and other services.
For more information, visit www.amorcyte.com. Center of Greater
Cincinnati at Christ Hospital; Emerson C. Perin, MD, PhD, F



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