Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., has received a patent for a new method of treating renal diseases using adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs), cells derived from fat tissue. The company announced that the patent covers treatment of a broad range of renal disorders, including acute kidney disease as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The patent also covers several ways of delivering the cells, including directly to the kidney or to the renal blood vessels.
Cytori won the U.S. patent in part with data from a preclinical study showing that ADRCs improve renal function and reduce the death rate in acute kidney injury. In the study, animals received either ADRCs or delivery of a control material after a renal injury. Survival in the ADRC-treated group was 100 percent, which was a statistically significant outcome compared to only 57 percent survival in the control group. Functional and histologic improvements in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and renal cell necrosis in the ADRC group were also statistically significant.
Based in San Diego, Cytori is a regenerative medicine company that develops and manufactures medical devices that allow for therapeutic use of adult stem and regenerative cells that naturally occur in fat tissue. Until now, the company’s commercial activities have been focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, cell banking, and tools for medical research.
“The renal patents are an important addition to our growing portfolio of ADRC patents,” said Cytori CEO Chris Calhoun. “CKD is an important comorbidity of cardiovascular disease, Cytori’s core focus.”
Calhoun said Cytori potentially could find a partner on this new indication to bring the therapy to market. The company has related patents in Europe to cover treatment of a broad range of renal disorders.
In 2012, Cytori’s operations had total product and contract revenue growth of 14 percent year-over-year, with $4.4 million coming from Japan out of the annual total of $14.5 million. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company had a quarterly gross profit of $2.6 million, which was greater than sales and marketing expenses of $2.1 million.
