Prochymal for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Prochymal is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. COPD is a lung disease characterized by limitation or obstruction of airflow in the airway and 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. There is no known cure for COPD, 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 potential to reverse the underlying disease.

Prochymal for COPD Clinical Status

The Phase II trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Prochymal in conjunction with standard of care for improving pulmonary function in patients with moderate to severe COPD. The clinical trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at multiple sites with a target enrollment of 60 patients. Patients will be randomized to either Prochymal or placebo at a 1:1 ratio. Pulmonary function tests, exercise capability, and quality of life are some of the measurements being used to detect potential improvements in subjects treated with Prochymal. In addition, exacerbations and hospitalizations due to COPD will be monitored for both safety and efficacy. Patients will be evaluated over the course of two years following initial Prochymal or placebo infusion.