SUNRISE, Fla., Jan. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (OTCBB:BHRT) announced positive efficacy data has been reported from the registry study of bone marrow and adipose derived stem cells for the treatment of end stage critical limb ischemia with wounds.Vaclav Prochazka MD, PhD, MSc., of University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic presented data at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Conference in Las Vegas last month.
"We are very pleased with the preliminary results of adipose derived cells. This is a continuation of our research of bone marrow derived stem cells. Our results have been published this month in Cell Transplantation," said Dr. Prochazka.
The study focuses on end stage patients with severe wounds. Endpoints include elimination of major amputation risk, ankle brachial index, toe pressure, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, and quality of life. Dr. Prochazka presented results of a clinical study with bone marrow derived cells and preliminary follow up of the adipose registry study. Seventy-five percent of patients presented with healing and pain reduction while only twenty-five percent of the patients required major limb amputation due to disease progression. Autologous adult bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) and adipose tissue derived stem cells (ADSCs) can help to produce angiogenesis or formation of new blood vessels as well as assist in the healing process. There were no reported deaths or severe adverse events demonstrating the safety of the products.
Mike Tomas, President and CEO of Bioheart stated, "We are very excited to offer new hope to patients with critical limb ischemia. Being able to prevent amputation in 75% of these patients demonstrates the true healing effect of adipose derived stem cells."
About Bioheart, Inc:
Bioheart, Inc. founded in 1999 seeks to be the "go to technology partner for heart failure specialists and their patients." The company's flagship product MyoCell is an adult muscle stem cell composition, also known as immature myoblasts, derived and processed from a patient's own thigh muscle. These cells are delivered to a patient's heart via the MyoCath needle tipped catheter or a similar device which is inserted through the patient's groin and is directed to the inside of the heart where the injections are made. MyoCell has been in clinical trials for treating advanced heart failure patients since early 2001. A 2nd generation composition MyoCell SDF-1 received FDA approval for clinical trials. This composition is made up of genetically modified cells that over express the stromal derived factor 1 protein that has been shown to improve blood vessel formation and muscle development. Bioheart, Inc. has also initiated clinical evaluation of methods of treating heart ischemia, acute myocardial infarctions and lower limb ischemia utilizing adipose (fat) derived cells. Bioheart is focused on heart failure and has a building pipeline of product developments to assist care providers in treating and caring for these patients.
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CONTACT: Bioheart, Inc. Catherine Sulawske Guck, Chief Operating Officer 954 835 1500, email csguck@bioheartinc.com