Newly discovered stem cell offers therapeutic potential

You may have heard of mesencymal stem cells (MSCs), the multipotent stem cell being developed by Mesoblast to treat cardiovascular disease, diabetes, orthopaedic diseases and other indications.

Now a newly discovered related type stem cell is gaining attention for its potential therapeutic application: mesenchymoangioblasts (MCA) cells. These are a precursor to MSCs, and are currently in development by privately owned Australian start-up, Cynata.

MCA cells were discovered by Professor Igor Slukvin and his team at the University of Wisconsin Madison, with the first papers covering their discovery being published in Cell in 2010.

The discovery filled a gap between embryonic stem cells and MSCs, showing how the two stages link together and develop into specialised blood, bone, connective tissue cells and other cell types.

Cynata, which has just secured a $250,000 injection of funding from EcoQuest, a producer of biodegradable products, to develop MCAs into potential therapies, with a starting focus on Critical Limb Ischaemia (CLI), a complication of diabetes.

Cynata President, Dr Allen Bollands, told ALS the company plans to conduct further research into MCAs across various indications to find those that represent the best development and marketing opportunities.

As MCAs are relatively new to science, there are still limited data regarding their therapeutic potential, he said, although he is optimistic about the potential in treating CLI, in which vascular flow is restricted, often as a consequence of diabetes. MCAs are being investigated to potentially help repair the damaged arteries.

Bollands stated that Cynata is currently looking at six potential indications, including CLI, and expects to settle on its lead indication within 12 months.

Cynata is in the process of getting established, and is on the lookout for a Chief Scientific Officer with expertise in the stem cell arena. The company has an office in Melbourne but will be primarily based in California in order to tap the expertise and financing of the US market.