Dabaghi Therapeutics, Inc., a stem cell and gene therapy pioneer, announced today plans for the world's first Human Cord Blood (HCBC) stem cell treatment clinical trial via Intramyocardial delivery. The Phase 1 clinical trial, expected to take place in Brasil, will demonstrate the feasibility and safety of intra-operative, intra-myocardial injection of HLA-crossmatched CD133+ HCBCs in adults with dilated cardiomyopathy associated with impaired left ventricular function. The trial plans to assess the feasibility and safety of a novel approach to therapeutic angiogenesis and myocyte regeneration in patients referred with heart failure who are not likely to improve with conventional medical treatment.

"I am extremely pleased to be working with Dabaghi to develop this novel therapy."

The company brings together veterans of the Baylor College of Medicine and the Methodist Hospital at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Brian Bruckner (US PI) is leading the medical team in Houston. Dabaghi Medical Board Chairman, Dr. George P. Noon, remarked, "I am extremely pleased to be working with Dabaghi to develop this novel therapy." Dr. Noon is Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery and Assist Devices in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine and also Director, Transplant Executive Council for Transplant Services, Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Dabaghi is planning these trials to begin in Recife, Brasil. Brasil has supported stem cell research in both embryonic and human cord blood therapies. Brasil is moving forward with these potentially life saving therapies through funding by the Federal Government for research in this exciting and potentially ground breaking therapy direction. Dr. Mario Gesteira Costa (Brasil PI) is leading the medical team in Brasil. "It is extremely exciting to be part of this 'First-in-Man' program with the Texas Medical Center in Houston," remarked Dr. José Aécio Fernandes Vieira, President of the Memorial São Jose Hospital in Recife, Brasil.

While early studies involving bone marrow stem cells have shown minimal improvement in outcomes, Dabaghi also plans to move from cord blood stem cells towards trials with embryonic stem cells. It is hoped that these more 'potent' cells will demonstrate significant regenerative abilities.

Source:
Dabaghi Therapeutics, Inc.