SAN DIEGO, Calif., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE MKT: CXM) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd and the National University of Ireland, Galway, to utilize Cardium's Excellagen pharmaceutically-formulated gel as a delivery agent for Orbsen's proprietary stromal cell therapy in pre-clinical studies for the potential treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The research is being conducted by the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), a world-class biomedical research centre focused on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) research. The research initiative is funded by REDDSTAR, a European Union Framework 7 (EU FP7) research collaboration focused on treating diabetes and its complications with a defined MSC therapy and enlisting academic and industry partners throughout Europe in the program (www.reddstar.eu).

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Cardium's FDA-cleared Excellagen is an aseptically-manufactured, quaternary fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate that is configured into a staggered array of three-dimensional, triple helical, telopeptide-deleted, tropocollagen molecules. This linear array forms a flowable, biocompatible and bioactive structural matrix that promotes chemotaxis, cellular adhesion, migration and proliferation to stimulate tissue formation. The Excellagen homogenate represents a new product delivery platform that allows for the potential development of a portfolio of advanced tissue regeneration therapeutic opportunities that could include anti-infectives, antibiotics, peptides, proteins, small molecules, DNA, stem cells, differentiated cells and conditioned cell media.

About Excellagen

Excellagen is a syringe-based, professional-use, pharmaceutically-formulated 2.6% fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate that functions as an acellular biological modulator to activate the wound healing process and significantly accelerate the growth of granulation tissue. Excellagen's FDA clearance provides for very broad labeling including partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, tunneled/undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites/graft, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears) and draining wounds. Excellagen is intended for professional use following standard debridement procedures in the presence of blood cells and platelets, which are involved with the release of endogenous growth factors. Excellagen's unique fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate formulation is topically applied through easy-to-control, pre-filled, sterile, single-use syringes and is designed for application at only one-week intervals.

There have been important, positive findings reported by physicians using Excellagen as part of Cardium's physician sampling, patient outreach and market "seeding" programs. In several case studies, physicians reported a rapid onset of the growth of granulation tissue in a wide array of wounds, including non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (consistent with the results of Cardium's Matrix clinical study), as well as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers and Mohs surgical wounds. In certain cases, rapid granulation tissue growth and wound closure have been achieved with Excellagen following unsuccessful treatment with other advanced wound care approaches. From a dermatology perspective, a previously unexplored vertical market, remarkable healing responses have been observed following Mohs surgery for patients diagnosed with squamous and basal cell carcinomas, including deep surgical wounds extending to the periosteum (a membrane that lines the outer surface of bones). Additionally, because of the easy-use and platelet activating capacity, physicians have been employing Excellagen in severe non-healing wounds at near-amputation status, in combination with autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy and collagen sheet products. These case studies and positive physician feedback provide additional support of Excellagen's potential utility as an important new tool to help promote the wound healing process. Excellagen case studies are available at http://www.excellagen.com/surgical-wounds.html.

About Orbsen Therapeutics

Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd. is a privately-held company founded in 2006 as a spin out from Ireland's Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) in NUI Galway. As part of the PurStem EU FP7 program, Orbsen developed proprietary technologies (ORB1) that enable the prospective purification of highly defined and therapeutic stromal cells from several human tissues, including marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord. ORB1 stromal cells can be purified from several species including equine and murine tissues, enabling the development of defined equine MSC therapies for the first time. These novel aspects of the ORB1 technology place Orbsen at the leading edge of research, development and regulatory compliance of MSC therapies. The therapeutic ORB1 cells can be purified from a single human donor, expanded and frozen to generate many doses of high-margin, allogeneic ("off-the-shelf") therapeutic products for indications with unmet need. Orbsen's proprietary ORB1 MSC therapy is being developed for several indications, including inflammatory disease of the lungs and liver, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, joint disease, kidney injury, tissue graft rejection and wound repair. For more information, please visit http://www.orbsentherapeutics.com/.

About The Regenerative Medicine Institute at NUI, Galway

The Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) is a world-class biomedical research centre focusing on gene therapy and stem cell research. REMEDI is a partnership involving scientists, clinicians, and engineers in academic centres and in industry. Researchers at REMEDI work together to combine the technologies of gene therapy and adult stem cell therapy with the aim of regeneration and repair of tissues. The unique feature of the research carried out at REMEDI is the novel integration of both therapies in a complementary research and development programme. Based in the National University of Ireland, Galway, REMEDI was established in 2003 through a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) award, and industry funding. The institute is located at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science and incorporates the National Cell and Gene Vector Laboratory, a GMP grade vector and cell production facility. More information is available at http://www.nuigalway.ie/remedi/about-us.

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Cardium Reports On New Excellagen-Based Stromal Cell Research For Wound Healing With Orbsen Therapeutics Under ...

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