May 21, 2008 - Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIR) announced the treatment of the first patients in a new Phase II clinical trial evaluating Prochymal, a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, for moderate to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This trial marks the sixth indication for which Prochymal has been advanced into Phase II or later-stage clinical trials. COPD, a form of lung disease characterized by limitation or obstruction of airflow in the airway, encompasses both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. with an estimated 12 million Americans diagnosed with the disease. COPD has no known cure, thus current therapeutic intervention is aimed at providing relief of symptoms. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that Prochymal’s unique mechanism of action may provide a first-in-class treatment option with the ability to reverse the underlying disease... [PDF] Osiris Therapeutics' Press Release -
