Angioblast Systems, Inc. (“Angioblast” or the “Company”) is a privately held biotechnology company formed in 2001. The Company is committed to becoming a world leader in the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (“CVD”).
Angioblast intends to achieve this goal through the advancement of its three lead and groundbreaking product candidates that have each been proven to be effective in animal models of human CVD:
- special adult stem cells called Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (“MPC”)
- peptide-based therapeutics that induce stem cell migration, angiogenesis, and cardiovascular recovery, the lead candidate being stromal-derived factor 1 (“SDF-1”)
- products delivered in drug-eluting stents for coronary and peripheral artery disease, consisting of RNA silencing technology, the lead candidate targeting the blood vessel and clotting regulator plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (“PAI-1”)
Each of the Company's lead products and underlying proprietary technology platforms (which are covered by an extensive patent portfolio) operates primarily by regulating blood vessel growth. Therefore, these lead product candidates and the related technologies are applicable to a broad range of diseases where new blood vessel growth may be useful, including congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), peripheral arterial disease and skin ulcers.
The Company's most advanced product is the MPC therapy, which has achieved outstanding results in extensive pre-clinical development in animal models of several cardiovascular diseases, including studies focused on the regeneration and repair of heart muscle and growth of new blood vessels following a heart attack injury. This product represents what Angioblast believes is the world's leading adult stem cell technology, a groundbreaking advancement in stem cell-based clinical treatment, and which is currently being evaluated in a human clinical trials for treatment of heart damage following a heart attack.
The competitive advantages of MPC that make this a unique and highly valuable product are :
Characteristic |
Description of competitive advantage |
One product - many indications |
MPC can be used to treat a number of cardiovascular diseases affecting very large markets, including CHF , MI and PAD |
One product – many patients |
MPC are ignored by the human immune system, so MPC from one donor can be used to treat thousands of patients (i.e. they are an allogeneic , “off-the-shelf” product) |
High Potency |
MPC are up to 1,000 fold purer and more potent than competitor adult stem cell technologies, leading to greater therapeutic potential and a more affordable product |
High-Margin |
MPC are easily expanded to very large numbers in culture at a low cost |
Synergies with body’s capabilities |
MPC not only directly regenerate tissues, but MPC also prompt body's own blood vessels/tissues to re-grow in regions damaged by disease |
Non-controversial |
MPC are isolated from a single adult donor, allowing Angioblast to avoid any controversies associated with embryonic stem cell products. |
Due to these intrinsic properties, the Company expects to be the first to be able to offer a universal adult stem cell product (a) to a very broad range of patients, (b) at a very reasonable cost, and (c) with greater therapeutic effect as compared to competing technologies.
Angioblast's headquarters are located in New York , New York , and the Company has developed a worldwide network of leading experts and strategic collaborations with major healthcare companies that will allow Angioblast to progress its programs effectively and successfully for the benefit of all targeted patients.
