Positive Data Presented on Athersys' MultiStem to Treat Stroke

Medical researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School presented new research results this morning at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference that highlight the role of the spleen in the mechanisms underlying how MultiStem®, a novel allogenic stem cell therapy being developed by Athersys, Inc.

, reduces damage and enhances functional recovery in animals after an ischemic stroke. The study illustrated the potential benefits of MultiStem therapy for treating stroke using standard preclinical models. Researchers observed that intravenous administration of MultiStem one day after a stroke resulted in a substantial reduction in brain tissue loss 28 days post-stroke. The spleen is believed to play a significant role in the body's immune response to the stroke that can result in additional damage following the primary ischemic event. After administration, MultiStem cells limit the inflammatory cascade that results from the initial stroke, thereby reducing the secondary damage that occurs.