Nsgene A/s

Stemcells California, Inc.

Hoba Therapeutics Aps

Nsgene Sa

Lars U. Wahlberg

Jens Tornoe

Lars U Wahlberg

Kenneth Campbell

Charlotta Skogh

Cecilia Eriksson

Klas Wictorin

Philip Kusk

Teit E Johansen

Jens Tornøe

Nikolaj Blom

Mette Grønborg

Thomas Nordahl Petersen

Søren Brunak

Mette Gronborg

Carl Rosenblad

The present invention relates to the field of therapeutic use of proteins, genes and cells. More specifically the invention relates to therapy based on the biological function of a secreted therapeutic protein, NsG33, in particular for the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. NsG33 is a nerve survival and growth factor with antiapoptotic effects on a cell line with neuronal potential and with neuroprotective and/or neurogenesis effects on a neural precursor cell line and on primary striatal cultures. The invention also relates to novel bioactive NsG33 polypeptide fragments and the corresponding encoding DNA sequences.

Therapeutic use of a growth factor, NsG33

The invention provides a device for Encapsulated Cell Therapy. The device includes an implantable capsule containing cells which secrete a biologically active compound for providing a biological function. The capsule has a semi permeable outer membrane for delivery of the compound e.g. at a site in the central nervous system or the spinal cord, e.g. in the brain of a patient. The capsule is connected to a tether which e.g. facilitates removal of the capsule from the patient. To facilitate insertion of the capsule into the patient, a stiffener may be attached to the tether to make the tether more rigid. The invention further provides a container for storing a cell therapy device and a method of locating the device in the body of a patient.

Implantable therapy system for treating a living being with an active factor

Cultures of cells immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as well as for the intermediate filament marker nestin were grown in a medium including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum. The cultured cells had the morphology of astroglial cells. The cells can be proliferated in adherent or suspension cultures. Depending on the culture conditions, the cells can be induced to differentiate to neurons or glial cells. The cultures can be expanded over a large number of passages during several months, and survive, express an astroglial phenotype and integrate well after transplantation into both neonatal and adult rat forebrain.

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The present invention concerns improved methods and compositions for producing a Neublastin polypeptide as well as local delivery of Neublastin to specific regions of the nervous system including the central nervous system and the eye for example by gene therapy. The invention also concerns Neublastin expression constructs which do not encode a pro-region of a Neublastin polypeptide, which expression construct result in increased secretion of bioactive Neublastin. The invention includes the delivery of Neublastin from transduced or transfected cells encapsulated into a macrocapsule with a semipermeable membrane. The invention further concerns mammalian cells capable of producing Neublastin in increased amounts.

Secretion of neublastin

Cultures of GFAP nestin cells that differentiate to neurons

Cultures of GFAP+ nestin+ cells that differentiate to neurons

Growing community of inventors

Asnaes, Denmark

Lars U Wahlberg